AIMTo explore the possible effect of the deleted in azoospermia (DAZ) copy cluster deletion on spermatogenesis in the Chinese population, the deletion of the azoospermia factor c (AZFc) region was analyzed in 346 normozoospermic men.

METHODSThree DAZ single nucleotide variant loci and seven AZFc-specific sequence-tagged sites were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and routine PCR.

RESULTSFive (1.4%) of the normozoospermic men were found to have deletion of gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2. None of the men were found to have b2/b4-entire DAZ deletion.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion in five men with normozoospermia suggests that this deletion per se may not be sufficient for spermatogenic impairment in Chinese men.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Sequence Tagged Sites ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Qindan capsule (QC) on collagen synthesis and the mechanism underlying the process in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

METHODSTwentyfour SHRs were divided into three groups: the hypertension model group, the QC treatment group, and the losartan treatment group. Eight Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as the normal control group. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the rats was monitored, and the thoracic aorta adventitia of the rats was segregated. The expressions of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-β1), Smad3, and collagens I and were measured by histological staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe SBP was significantly higher in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.01). However, a significant SBP-lowering effect was observed in QC or losartan treatment groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01) after 3 weeks of treatment. QC-treated rats showed a decrease of approximately 40 mm Hg, and the losartan-treated rats showed a decrease of approximately 50 mm Hg at the end of treatment compared with the beginning of treatment. The protein and gene levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and collagens I and in the model group were significantly increased compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.01). However, the levels were significantly decreased in the QC or losartan treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the QC and losartan treatment groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQC could exert its antihypertensive effect through down-regulating TGF-β1-stimulated collagen expressions. The TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be involved in this process.

Adventitia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Blood Vessels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Capsules ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling ; Systole ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the experiences of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction in patients with Marfan syndrome.

METHODSFrom July 2003 to Dec 2007, 22 patients with Marfan syndrome were treated by aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction. There were 12 male and 10 female, the age ranged from 10 to 57 years old with a mean of (28 +/- 10) years. The operation procedures included reimplantation technique in 9 patients, remodeling technique in 8 patients, and patch technique in 2 patients. In addition, reimplantation technique + total aorta replacement in 1 patient, remodeling technique + "aortic arch replacement + stent-elephant trunk" in 1 patient, patch technique + "aortic arch replacement + stent-elephant trunk" in 1 patient. The patients were followed-up by 17 to 64 months with a mean of (46 +/- 16) months.

RESULTSNo in-hospital and follow-up period death occurred. There was one reexploration for bleeding 1 d postoperative. No valve-related complication occurred during the follow-up. At the end of follow-up, no aortic regurgitation was demonstrate in 16 patients, but mild regurgitation in 4 patients, moderate regurgitation in 1 patient and severe regurgitation in 1 patient. Two patients with moderate and severe aortic regurgitation need reoperation 1 year postoperative.

CONCLUSIONThe early and mid-term results of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction operations in Marfan syndrome were favorable.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aorta ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; etiology ; surgery ; Aortic Valve ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Marfan Syndrome ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study lateral pelvic metastasis and micrometastasis of low rectal cancer and elucidate their prognostic value.

METHODSWhole-mount slice and tissue microarray of dissected lateral pelvic specimen from 67 cases of low rectal cancer were examined, and the included cases were followed up.

RESULTSTwelve specimens were diagnosed as lateral metastasis, while another 10 were proved to bear micrometastasis. Most of the involved metastatic lymph nodes (82.9%) were smaller than 5 mm in diameter. Internal iliac, obturator regions and middle rectal root were more likely to be involved by tumors. Patients with lateral metastasis suffered more recurrence and poorer survival.

CONCLUSIONSLateral pelvic metastasis could be observed in low rectal cancer and its incidence differed among lateral pelvic regions. Patients with lateral spread predisposed poor prognosis, thus underlies the value of pre/postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate 2 polymorphism sites in exon 3 and intron 2 of FKBP6 in Chinese population, while screening the gene mutations and polymorphisms in exons 3, 4 of FKBP6, and the association of these polymorphisms with azoospermia.

METHODSPossible variations of exons 3, 4 and genotypes and frequencies of 2 polymorphic loci were examined by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) technique in 177 azoospermia patients and 231 control individuals.

RESULTSThe observed allele frequencies conformed well to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of 278A allele was significantly higher in controls than that in patients (P<0.05). C/T(s7797242) polymorphism was not found in either group and variations in exons 3, 4 were not detected.

CONCLUSION278A polymorphism of FKBP6 gene was associated with idiopathic azoospermia, while C/T, 370G/A, 430G/C, 467T/C, 468G/A polymorphisms might be very rare in Chinese population.

Azoospermia ; genetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tacrolimus Binding Proteins ; genetics

Brain Neoplasms/surgery* ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Gene Fusion ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Protein EWS/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of regional transport to percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) hospitals from non-PCI hospitals after thrombolysis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) in northwest China. Methods: In this retrospective study, 1 062 STEMI patients who were transferred from non-PCI hospitals within 24 hours from symptom onset, during January 2015 and January 2019 in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, were included. According to the treatment strategy, they were divided into two groups, namely intravenous thrombolysis combined with PCI group(n=240), and primary PCI group(n=822). Observation endpoint were in-hospital adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and bleeding events, Including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, malignant arrhythmia, intracranial hemorrhage and hemorrhage with hemoglobin decrease≥50 g/L. Results: A total of 1 062 STEMI patients were included(age was (61±12) years old), with 905 males (85.2%). The proportion of grade 0 TIMI blood flow in the primary PCI group before operation was significantly higher than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group(63.0%(518/822) vs. 36.3%(87/240)， P<0.001). Compared with primary PCI group, the time from symptom onset to first medical contact(2.11(1.00, 4.00)hours vs.3.00(1.13, 7.07)hours, P<0.001) and reperfusion in thrombolysis combined with PCI group(3.07(1.83, 4.87)hours vs. 6.92(4.07, 11.15) hours, P<0.001) were significantly shorter. The proportion of all-cause death was significantly higher in the primary PCI group than that in the thrombolysis combined with PCI group (1.8%(15/822) vs. 0, P=0.03). There was no significant difference in hemorrhage, ischemic stroke and malignant arrhythmia between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions: For STEMI patients initially hospitalized in non-PCI hospitals, regional transport combined with PCI is feasible and effective. It does not significantly increase the risk of bleeding and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, with shorter time from symptom onset to myocardial reperfusion.
Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Retrospective Studies ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/therapy* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of grape seed extract (GSE) in animal and cellular models and explore its mechanism of action. METHODS: This study determined the inhibitory effect of GSE on macrophage inflammation and Th1 and Th17 polarization in vitro. Based on the in vitro results, the effects and mechanisms of GSE on multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model were further explored. The C57BL/6 mice were intragastrically administered with 50 mg/kg of GSE once a day from the 3rd day to the 27th day after immunization. The activation of microglia, the polarization of Th1 and Th17 and the inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreted by them were detected in vitro and in vivo by flow cytometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: GSE reduced the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6 in bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (P<0.01), inhibited the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ in spleen cells of EAE mice immunized for 9 days (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and reduced the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 mediated by CD3 and CD28 factors (P<0.01). GSE significantly improved the clinical symptoms of EAE mice, and inhibited spinal cord demyelination and inflammatory cell infiltration. Peripherally, GSE downregulated the expression of toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4) and Rho-associated kinase (ROCKII, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the central nervous system, GSE inhibited the infiltration of CD45⁺CD11b⁺ and CD45⁺CD4⁺ cells, and weakened the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 (P<0.05). Moreover, it reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01), and prevented the activation of microglia (P<0.05). CONCLUSION GSE had a beneficial effect on the pathogenesis and progression of EAE by inhibiting inflammatory response as a potential drug and strategy for the treatment of MS.
Mice ; Animals ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology* ; Grape Seed Extract/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Th1 Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Interferon-gamma/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells/metabolism* ; Interleukin-12/therapeutic use* ; Cytokines/metabolism*