Objective To study the phenotype and function of CD4 +CD25 + Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and their relationship with fibrosis.Methods The proportion of Foxp3, CD127, CTLA-4 and CD69 on CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in peripheral blood were detect by flow cytometry;the levels of TGF-[1 and IL-10 in serum were detect by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with SSc.The correlation between Treg cells and the score of chest HRCT, MRSS, and disease activity was analyzed.T test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results ① Compare to the control group, the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in peripheral blood of SSc patients was increased significantly(12.9±2.4 vs 14.9±2.2, t=2.63, P=-0.012), and the expression of CD69+, CTLA-4+ on CD4+CD25+ Treg cells was decreased significantly (P＜0.01).② Compare to the control group, the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3 + cells and CD4+CD25+CDI27-cells in peripheral blood of SSc patients was increased significantly (respectively, 3.3±0.7 vs 5.0±0.7, 5.1±1.6 vs 7.6±2.0, t=7.03, 4.195;P＜0.01), but no correlation between them was detected.③ The level of TGF-β1 in the serum of the SSc patients was lower than that of the control group(86±29 vs 133±29 ng/ml, t=-5.026, P=0.000).However, IL-10 had no significant difference between the two groups.④ The proportion of CD4+CD25 +Foxp3 + cells and CD4~D25 +CD127-cells in peripheral blood of SSc patients was positively correlated with the scores of chest HRCT (respectively, r=-0.541, P=0.02;r=0.486, P=0.041), and no correlation was observed with ESR, CRP.In addition, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells were associated with MRSS.Conclusion The proportion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in the peripheral blood of SSc patients is increased, but they alters the immune function.The different phenotypes of Treg cells of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells and CD4+CD25+CD127-cells in peripheral blood of SSc patients are increased significantly, which changes along with skin and lung fibrosis.The associated cytokine TGF-β1 is reduced, and IL-10 is not significantly changed.

OBJEVTIVETo analyze the complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for treatment of lower urinary tract stones and identify the factors contributing to the complications.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the postoperative complications of ESWL in 83 patients with lower urinary tract stones and their association with the patients' age, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), stone features, shock wave times, and shock wave energy.

RESULTSOf the 83 cases treated with ESWL, 72.3% (60 cases) showed gross hematuria, 27.7% (23 cases) complained of pain, and 25.3% (21 cases) had both pain and gross hematuria. None of the patients reported vomiting, skin rash, flatulence, gastrointestinal bleeding or other complications. Patients with postoperative gross hematuria, pain, and both had significantly greater stone length, stone width and more shock body times than those without these complications (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Patients with gross hematuria had significantly lower height than those without complications (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe common complications of ESWL for lower urinary tract stones include hematuria and pain. The patient's height, stone length, stone width and shock times are important factors contributing to these postoperative complications.

Abdominal Pain ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hematuria ; etiology ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To study the correlation between female urination abnormalities and pelvic floor injury.Methods A total of 193 adult women with urination abnormalities from January 2015 to January 2017 were selected from Foshan Maternal and Child Hospital of Guangdong Province,including 84 cases of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS),71 cases of overactive bladder (OAB) and 38 cases of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).All patients aged 38-82 years (mean 51 ± 3.74) were enrolled according to their clinical symptoms.100 adult female patients without obvious symptoms such as abnormal urination were selected as the control group.Pelvic floor pain points were examined and scored in both groups.Results In the 193 cases,the number of pain points in LUTS,OAB and SUI were 1 093,983 and 415,respectively,a total of 2 491.The total pain scores of pain points were 7 163,6 480 and 2 583,with a total of 16 226 points.There were 100 cases in the control group with 527 pain points,and the total pain points were 1 377 points.According to the pelvic floor injury formula,the injury scores of the inspection group and the control group were calculated to be 3.59 vs 0.24 respectively,with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).The pelvic floor injury scores of LUTS group,OAB group and SUI group were 3.67,4.18 and 2.46 respectively,with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Overall,female urination abnormalities are significantly associated with pelvic floor injury,which are consistent with clinical observation.

Objective To investigate the relationship between pelvic floor pain and pelvic floor injury in female patients with lower urinary tract disease.Methods Transvaginal and rectal pelvic floor acupressure was used to perform pelvic floor pain point examination in women with lower urinary tract disease.The number of tender points and the pain point of tenderness were recorded.R~ults The positive rate of pelvic pain points was 61.5％ (3 507 checkpoints,2 156 checkpoints had tenderness);there was a difference in the degree of pain caused by pain points in different regions (H =159.144,P ＜0.01).There was no difference in pain level between the P3 area,P4 and P5 areas and P2 (adjust P =1),and the pain points of the other areas were statistically different from the pain level (adjust P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The density of tender points and degree of pain in pain points in female pelvic floor are related to the pelvic floor injury.It is of clinical significance to evaluate the degree of pelvic floor injury by taking the pelvic floor pain point.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of placement of urethral catheter combined with lidocaine on urethral irritation caused by postoperative indwelling catheters.

METHODSA total of 120 male surgical patients requiring postoperative indwelling catheters between June 2011 and January 2012 were divided into two equal groups for placement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine on the first postoperative day, or for routine catheter placement only. The symptoms of urethral irritation such as urethral pain, urinary urgency, and perineal discomforts were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSIn patients with painless urethral catheter placement combined with bladder washing with lidocaine, 11 developed urethral irritation symptoms, as compared to 24 in the patients with routine catheter placement only, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPlacement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine can significantly reduce the incidence of urethral irritation due to postoperative indwelling catheters.

Adult ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Catheterization ; methods ; Urinary Catheters ; adverse effects ; Urination Disorders ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJEVTIVETo investigate the expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) in spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia and explore its clinical significance.

METHOSSemen samples were collected from 24 normal volunteers and 24 patients with asthenozoospermia for detecting CRISP2 mRNA and protein expressions using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The correlation of CRISP2 expressions with sperm morphology, progressive motility and fertility prognosis were analyzed in patients with asthenozoospermia.

RESULTSCRISP2 protein expression was obviously lowered in the ejaculated spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia as compared to the normal volunteers, but no significant difference in CRISP2 mRNA expression was found between the two groups. Correlation analysis showed that CRISP2 protein expression was positively correlated with normal sperm morphology (r=0.6182, P=0.0037) and progressive motility (r=0.6309, P=0.0029). Follow-up study of the patients revealed a higher fertility rate in patients with a relatively high CRISP2 protein expression than in those with low CRISP2 protein expression (80.0% vs 20.0%, P=0.0230).

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of CRISP2 protein is positively correlated with normal sperm morphology and progressive motility. A reduced CRISP2 protein expression indicates poor fertility prognosis of patients with asthenozoospermia, suggesting the potential value of CRISP2 as a novel therapeutic target for treating asthenozoospermia.

Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Vascular calcification is often observed in the angiographic examination of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, especially in the elderly. There are many researches on the relation between intracranial artery calcification (ICA) and ischemic stroke (IS) in clinic, but the conclusions of these researches have not been unified yet. In this article, the researches on progression of relation between ICA and IS are used as a clue to review, and try to clarify the correlation between ICA and IS in the current researches, so as to provide a new strategy for the treatment of IS in clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of MTBP in regulating the migration and invasion of human prostate cancer cells. METHODS: The baseline expressions of MTBP in 3 different human prostate cancer cells lines (22RV1, DU145 and Lncap) were detected using Western blotting. The cells were transfected with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) for MTBP knockdown or MTBP plasmid for MTBP overexpression, and 48 h later, the cells were examined for MTBP expression with Western blotting; the changes in the migration abilities of the cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and Transwell assay, and the cell invasiveness was assessed using Matrigel Transwell assay. The expression of E-cadherin protein, a marker of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), was detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: MTBP expression was the highest in DU145 cells followed by Lncap cells, and was the lowest in 22RV1 cells, indicating a positive correlation of MTBP expression with the level of malignancy of human prostate cancer cells. Transfection of the cells with siRNA or MTBP plasmids efficiently lowered or enhanced the expressions of MTBP in human prostate cancer cells. Wound healing assay showed that inhibition of MTBP expression decreased the migration ability of the prostate cancer cells, and MTBP overexpression significantly promoted the migration of the cells ( < 0.01). Transwell assay showed that MTBP knockdown significantly lowered the migration and invasion ability of the cells, while MTBP overexpression markedly increased the number of migrating and invading cells ( < 0.01); Western blotting results showed that MTBP knockdown increased the expression of E-cadherin protein, and MTBP overexpression decreased E-cadherin expression in the prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS MTBP overexpression promotes the migration and invasion of human prostate cancer cells possibly relation to the induction of EMT.
Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

Objective: To analyze the correlation between the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sacroiliac joint inflammation score (SPARCC score)/structural score (SSS) and the disease activity as well as the functional indexs. The correlation between the MRI score and inflammatory indicators [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) before and after treatment was explored. In addition, the contribution of the two MRI scoring method in evaluating conditions was also explored. Methods: According to the inclusion criteria, 24 patients with active axial SpA were recruited and received the recombinant hauman tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α receptor Ⅱ: IgG Fc fusion protein(rhTNFR:Fc), sulfasalazine and thalidomide for 12 weeks. Subjects were scored at week 0 and 12 by SPARCC/SSS scores. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Assessment of Spondyloarthritis Intemational Society (ASAS)-endorsed disease activity score(ASDAS)-CRP, bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI). Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index(BASMI), ESR and CRP. The correlation between the SPARCC/SSS scores and that of clinical indicators were analyzed. Paired sample t test, Wilcoxon signedrank test, Spearman correlation analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SPARCC score decline as a response to treatment. Results: ① Compared with baseline, after 12 weeks treatment, SPARCC scores [(15±4) and(33±10)], BASDAI [(3.2±0.9) and (5.2±1.1)], BASFI [(2.3±0.6) and (4.6±1.0)], BASMI [(2.3±0.7) and (4.1±1.1)], ASDAS-CRP scores [(2.0±0.8) and (3.7±0.9)], ESR [(16±12) mm/1 h and (49±26) mm/1 h], CRP [(7.2±2.8) mg/L and (30.4±19.3) mg/L] were significantly decreased (t values were 7.822, 6.950, 10.707, 7.204, 6.281,-4.015 and-4.257, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (P=0.000). There was no significant difference in SSS scores between baseline [(20±6) and (19±7)] and after 12 weeks treatment (t=-0.761, P=0.455). ② Before treatment, SPARCC score showed positive linear correlation with BASDAI (r=0.630, P=0.001), ASDAS-CRP (r=0.646, P=0.001), CRP (r=0.574, P=0.003) and ESR (r=0.559, P=0.004), and the correlation of the above indexes disappeared after treatment (P>0.05). The association between SPARCC structral scores and the above indicators was not significant before and after treatment. ③ Areas under curve(AUC) of ROC for assessing treatment response by reduced SPARCC scores was 0.809. The cut-off value for response to treatment was 20.5, with the sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 75.0%. Conclusion The SPARCC MRI SIJ inflamm-ation score has certain value in evaluating disease activity and efficacy, while the SPARCC SSS is not.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived exosomesagainst testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.

METHODSRat BMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified in theprimary culture. The exosomes were extracted from the BMSCs and characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting. Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into shamoperation group, testicular IRI with saline treatment group and IRI with exosome treatment group. The contralateral testes ofthe rats were collected for pathological observation, aseessment of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and detection of HMGB1, caspases-3 and cleaved caspase-3 expressions using Western blotting.

RESULTSWe successfullyobtained exosomes from rat BMSCs. Testicular IRI significantly impaired testicular spermatogenesis, which was markedlyimproved by treatment with the exosomes ( < 0.05). Testicular IRI also caused significant increase in the protein expression ofHMGB1, caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in the testicular tissue, and treatment with the exosomes obviously amelioratedthese changes ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBMSCs-derived exosomes protects against testicular IRI due to the anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities of the exosomes.