OBJECTIVE: To analyze recent studies on the role of the endocannabinoid system in liver disease and related mechanism. METHODS: Reading domestic and international documents in recent years, we concluded a comprehensive integrated about them. RESULTS: This paper reviews the important role of the endocannabinoid in the development of liver disease, which focuses on the prevention and protection of the endocannabinoid on viral hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cholestatic liver disease and liver ischemia-reperfusion injury and the development of hepatic fibrosis and hepatic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: Endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the treatment of liver disease. But for its complex mechanism of action, we need further research.

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

Ascites ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Enteritis ; complications ; Eosinophilia ; complications ; Female ; Gastritis ; complications ; Humans ; Recurrence

A 36-year-old female presented with multiple dark brown papules on the chest and abdomen for more than 10 years,which had gradually increased in number.Physical examination revealed dozens of dark brown,flat papules measuring 1-3 mm in diameter in the chest and abdomen.Most of the lesions had a smooth surface,and some lesions gave a papilloma-like appearance,with no confluent trend.Biopsy of abdominal lesions showed mild hyperkeratosis of epidermis,acanthosis,extension of epidermal protrusions forming a reticulated appearance,horn pseudocysts in prickle cell layer,enhanced pigmentation of basal layer,and a sparse lymphocytic perivascular infiltrate in superficial dermis.A diagnosis of dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) was made.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of glutamic acid(Glu) levels,ATP levels,free calcium ion,mitochondrial membrane potential,apoptosis related to mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and Na+-K+-ATPase activity,and explore the mechanism of mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis in neuron injury of rats with kainite acid(KA)-induced epilepsy.Methods KA-induced epilepsy model was induced by injection of KA into the hippocampus.Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group(n=8)and KA group(6 h,1 d,3 d,7 d,n=8).The concentration of Glu in hippocampus CA3 area was detected by high performance liquid chromatography.The apoptosis of hippocampus neurons and the concentration of Ca2+ were assayed by flow cytometry.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1.The Na+-K+-ATPase activity was examined.Results 1.The concentration of Glu in hippocampus increased at 3 d after KA injection and reached the peak after 7 d injection.2.The concentration of Ca2+ level,mitochondrial membrane potential,and the number of apoptosis neurons were significantly increased,wherase the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased after 6 h of KA injection,7 d after KA injection,and the changes were more severe.3.In the hippocampus,the activities of the Na+-K+-ATPase significantly decreased at 1 d after KA injection,and they decreased more over at 7 d after KA injection.4.The levels of ATP,mitochondrial membrane potential,and the activity of the Na+-K+-ATPase were negatively correlated with the neuron apoptosis(Pa

Objective To analyze the therapeutic outcomes and adverse effects of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (hd-IVIg) in the treatment of some severe skin diseases (toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug hypersensitivity syndrome, connective tissue disease, autoimmune bullous disease, acute graft-versus-host disease). Methods Twenty-five cases of severe skin diseases were treated with hd-IVIg (0.4 g/kg/day for a course of 5 days). Results The therapeutic outcomes were different from each other. Of all the cases, 21 improved, especially those of acute onset of toxic epidermal necrolysis and drug hypersensitivity syndrome; 1 adult dermatomyositis and 2 elder bullous pemphigoid were not relieved. A patient with acute graft-versus-host disease died. Three patients presented with minor adverse effects (headache and blood pressure rising). Conclusions hd-IVIg is effective and safe in the treatment of some severe skin diseases. More importantly, it has a substantial effect on shortening disease course and decreasing the dosage of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants as well as on preventing infections.

A high active soybean isoflavone glucoside hydrolase-producing mould strain was isolated from spirit qu. Its optimal hydrolase-producing conditions were as follows: 2.5% wheat bran as carbon source, 1% NaNO3 as nitrogen source, initial pH7. 0, culture medium volume 40mL/250mL, inoculating quantity 8% , culture temperature 30℃, revolutions 160r/min and culture time 84h. The enzyme activity reached 82 U/mL. Cu2+ can inhibit Absidia sp. R strain from producing the hydrolase, the influence of other metal ions was not remarkable on it.

Objective To study the resistance mechanism of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) to erythromycin.Methods The susceptibility of 73 clinical isolates of Uu to erythromycin was evaluated by using broth dilution techniques. PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out to screen hot spot mutations at the variable region of 23S ribosomal RNA in erythromycin-resistant strains of Uu. Moreover, erythromycin resistance methylase genes (ermA, ermB, ermC) and efflux pump genes (mefA/E, msrA/B, mreA) were screened by using PCR with specific primers. Results There were 35 (47.95%) resistant Uu strains out of the 73 isolates, and the minimal inhibitory concentration varied from 8 to 32 mg/L among these resistant strains. The ermB gene was detected in 19 (54.29%) resistant strains, and msrA/B gene in 9 (25.71%) resistant strains. Two resistant strains harbored both ermB gene and msrA/B gene. No mutation at 23S ribosomal RNA or amplification of resistance-associated genes was noted in sensitive or reference strains of Uu. Conclusion The ermB and msrA/B genes may be responsible for the erythromycin resistance of Uu.

Objective To study the ability of standard strain and clinical isolates of Ureaplasma spp. to form biofilms in vitro and to compare the antibiotic susceptibility of sessile cells and their planktonic counterparts. Methods A total of 21 Ureaplasma wealyticum(Uu) isolates recovered from female patients diagnosed with cervicitis and Uu serovar 3 and Uu serovar 8( Uu3, Uu8) were included. Scanning electron microscope and confocal scanning laser microscopy were used to identify biofilm formation. Conventional antibiotic susceptibility tests and biofilm susceptibility assays for tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were carried out. The paired rank sum test and was applied to analyze the statistical differences between the MIC and the minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration. The x2 test was applied to analyze the statistical differences of global resistance percentages between planktonic cells and sessile cells. Results Uu3, Uu8 and 21 Uu isolates all can form biofilms in vitro. Minimal inhibitory concentration of sessile cells compared with planktonic cells were obviously higher for tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin (P <0.001). Global resistance percentages between planktonic cells and sessile cells were different for erythromycin (9.52% vs 61.90% , P < 0. 001), ciprofloxacin ( 80. 95% vs 100% , P = 0. 035 ) and tetracycline (4. 76% vs 14.29% , P =0.293). Conclusion Uu isolates and Uu1, Uu8 all can form biofilms in vitro, and biofilm formation can strengthen resistance of Uu to antibiotics, even multidrug resistance was observed.

OBJECTIVETo explore the treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with bone defect after debridement and evaluate its clinical outcomes.

METHODSFrom June 2009 to June 2011, 52 patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis were treated with stage-one compound grafting of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous cancellous bone,including 12 females and 40 males with an average age of 43 years old ranging from 18 to 67. According to Cierny-Mader classification, there were 34 cases with stage III and 18 with stage IV. There were 32 cases on right side and 20 on left,with a course of 6 months to 3 years. The area of soft tissue wound ranged from 3.0 cm x l.5 cm to 23.0 cm x l2.0 cm. The clinical effects were evaluated according to infection controlling, calcium sulfate absorption,bone defect repair and heel functional recovery.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 2 to 3.8 years (averaged 2.8 years). Primary healing was achieved in 52 patients. Two cases of recurrence were found post-operatively, 1 case in 3 months and another in 5 months,which were cured after a second operation. Bone repair healing was gained in 1.5 to 3.5 months (averaged 2.5 months). Complete radiological absorption of calcium sulfate was found in 1.2 to 3 months(averaged 2.2 months). Local exudation after removal of drainage tube had been persisting in 10 patients for 2 to 3 months, which was consistent with the time when cacium sulfate were totally absorbed. Flap had partial necrosis in 4 cases,and the wounds were closed after appropriate treatment finally. The mean Maryland score was 88.15±7.70. There were excellent results in 32 cases, good in 14, fair in 6.

CONCLUSIONA satisfactory short-term clinical results can be gained by one-stage compound grafting of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous cancellous bone in chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis, but the long-term results need further follow-up. And much more study is also demanded to reduce the exudation of calcium sulfate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bone Transplantation ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Calcium Sulfate ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult