OBJECTIVETo determine the exact location of the opening of the ejaculatory duct in men and provide some basic anatomical evidence for seminal vesiculoscopy and the treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction.

METHODSWe performed ureterocystoscopy for 21 male patients aged 26 - 47 years with hematuria (n = 12), hematospermia (n = 2), glandular cystitis (n = 6), and anejaculation after radical resection of rectal carcinoma (n = 1), and meanwhile, with the consent of the patients, massaged the prostate and ejaculatory duct and observed the outlet of the expelled fluid. Under the microscope, we described the fluid samples with sperm as the expulsion from the ejaculatory duct.

RESULTSUreterocystoscopy showed that the exact anatomical sites of the expulsion of prostatic fluid and semen in the patients were the side and lower side of the prostatic utricle opening above the verumontanum and the ventral side of the verumontanum. Quantities of sperm were found in the expulsion fluid of 13 of the patients, and no expulsion, including semen, was seen from the prostatic utricle opening.

CONCLUSIONAnatomically, the ejaculatory duct openings of males are located at the two sides of the verumontanum adjacent to the opening of the prostatic utricle, rather than in the prostatic utricle above the verumontanum.

Adult ; Cystoscopes ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Endoscopy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Hematuria ; Hemospermia ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostate ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Semen ; secretion ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVETo assess if the modulating effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB on p21(WAF1) was mediated by upregulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

METHODSTGF-beta(1) mRNA and protein expressions were measured by reverse transcription-PCR and ELISA, the protein expressions of p21(WAF1) and the downstream TGF-beta signalling including TGF-beta type I receptor (ALK-5 in VSMC), Smurf2, pSmad2/3, Smad4, Smad7 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSPDGF-BB significantly upregulated the expressions of TGF-beta(1) at mRNA (0.79-fold) and protein (1.98-fold) levels in VSMC, significantly inhibited the expression of p21(WAF1) (-67 +/- 12)%, and enhanced the expressions of ALK-5, pSmad2/3, Smad4, Smurf2 protein by 1.21-fold, 0.95-fold, 0.69-fold and 2.55-fold respectively, inhibited Smad7 expression (-65 +/- 9)%, these alterations were partially restored by anti-TGF-beta(1) neutralizing antibody.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggested that PDGF-BB inhibited p21(WAF1) expression in VSMC partially through upregulating TGF-beta(1) expression via PDGF-BB and TGF-beta signalling pathways.

Animals ; Cell Division ; Cells ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effect of up-converting phosphor technology(UPT) in detection of plague antigen-antibody by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method,and to provide a scientific basis for field application of UPT rapid detection technology in plague prevention and control.Methods Two hundred and twenty four serum samples were collected from Marmots and ground squirrels in the plague foci,Yersinia pestis antibody was detected by UPT,ELISA,Colloidal-gold Strips and IHA,respectively; 108 organs and bone marrow samples were collected,and Yersinia pestis antigens were detected by UPT,ELISA,PCR and RIHA,respectively.IHA was used as the gold standard for antibody test results,RIHA,PCR + Colloidal-gold Strips,PCR + ELISA were used as the gold standard for antigen test results.The results were evaluated using ROC method.Results Antibodies detection:the AUCs of UPT,ELISA and Colloidal-gold Strips were greater than 0.5.The difference between UPT and other methods was not statistically significant (z =1.204,P ＞ 0.05).Antigen detection:the AUCs of UPT,ELISA,Colloidal-gold Strips and PCR were greater than 0.5.There was no statistical difference between UPT and other methods(z =0.866,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions UPT as a new technology works well in the detection of plague antigen-antibody.The technology is simple,fast,accurate,and suitable for on-site monitoring of plague,emergency treatment of sudden plague,and suitable for promotion.

OBJECTIVETo sum up the experience in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 107 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ICSI in our center from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2008, and compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy between the patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) and those with non-CBAVD.

RESULTSA total of 949 oocytes were injected for the 107 patients undergoing ICSI, of which 678 (71.4%) were fertilized and 605 (89.2%) cleaved, with 44 pregnancies (41.4%). Of the 442 oocytes injected for the 49 patients with CBAVD, 308 (69.6%) were fertilized and 279 (90.6%) cleaved, with 27 pregnancies (55.1%), and of the 507 oocytes injected for the 58 cases induced by inflammation or surgery, 370 (72.9%) were fertilized and 326 (88.1%) cleaved, with 17 pregnancies (29.3%). The rate of pregnancy was significantly higher in the CBAVD than in the non-CBAVD group (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization and cleavage between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPESA or TESE combined with ICSI is an effective approach to the treatment of male infertility induced by obstructive azoospermia, which may achieve a higher rate of pregnancy in patients with CBAVD than in those with non-CBAVD. Inflammation or surgery may not only cause the obstruction of the deferent duct, but also affect sperm quality, and consequently reduce the potentiality of embryonic development.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of activated protein C (APC) on inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODSThe second passage of collagenase digested HUVEC was divided into the following groups: serum free medium control group (SFM control), phosphate buffer solution control group (PBS control), LPS group with final concentration of 1 microg/ml (LPS group), APC group with final concentration of 7 microg/ml, Pre-APC group (APC pretreatment for 30 min prior to LPS challenge), and Post-APC group (APC administration 30 min after LPS challenge). Supernatant was harvested at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after LPS challenge. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were analyzed with ELISA. Cells were harvested at 24 h after LPS challenge, and total RNA was extracted. Messenger RNA levels for IL-6 and IL-8 were semi-quantitatively determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with control group, IL-6 and IL-8 levels steadily increased 4 to 24 h after LPS stimulation. APC treatment could increase LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. The mRNA levels of IL-6 and IL-8 exhibited a similar change.

CONCLUSIONAPC can further increase the level of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS. The effect of these elevated cytokines is still under investigation.

Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Protein C ; physiology ; Protein C Inhibitor ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Time Factors ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the difference on the prevalence and the risk factors of type 2 diabetes(T2DM) between Yi farmer and immigrants in Liangshan, Sichuan province.

METHODSA representative sample of 2878 Yi people (including 1549 farmers and 1329 immigrants) aged from 16 to 76 was selected by the method of multistage and cluster sampling in Liangshan, Sichuan province, China, during 2007 - 2008. The samples were divided into 5 groups by the factor of age (16-, 25-, 35-, 45- and 55-76). The standardized prevalence of T2DM was calculated by the national census data in 2000. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the related risk factors of T2DM.

RESULTSThe prevalence of Yi farmer was 4.33% (67/1549) (male: 6.15% (42/683), female: 2.89% (25/866)), and that of Yi migrants was 9.03% (120/1329) (male: 11.31% (88/778), female: 5.81% (32/551)). The standardized prevalence (SP) was calculated by the data of national census 2000. The SP of Yi farmer was 5.97%in male, and that of the female was 2.40%. The SP of Yi migrant was 10.25% in male, and that of the female was 6.29%. For Yi people, sex (male versus female, OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.81), age (versus the group aged 16- and 25-, group aged 35 to 54: OR = 5.04, 95%CI: 2.93 - 8.69; group aged above 54: OR = 6.19, 95%CI: 3.23 - 11.86), hypertension (versus normal group, borderline hypertension value: OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.08 - 2.38; hypertension group: OR = 2.40, 95%CI: 1.37 - 4.22), smoking (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.37), triglyceride (TG) level (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.10 - 2.46) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.37) were the positive factors correlated with T2DM, and drinking (the alcohol volume from 22.67 to 52.50 g/d ) was negative factor (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.30 - 0.95) correlated with T2DM.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of T2DM in Yi immigrants was higher than that in Yi farmers;sex, age, blood pressure, smoking, TG, HDL-C, drinking were influencing factors of T2DM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of adipose stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs) with VEGF on the neovascularization of free fat transplantation.

METHODSSVFs were obtained from subcutaneous fat and labelled with DiI. 0.3 ml autologous fat tissue was mixed with 0.2 ml cells: 1) autologous SVFs with VEGF (Group A); 2) autologous SVFs (Group B); 3) complete DMEM (Group C) And then the mixture was injected randomly under the back skin of 12 nude mice. The transplanted fat tissue in three groups was harvested at 2 months after implantation. Wet weight and diameter of fat grafts was measured. After HE and CD31 staining,blood vessel density, viable adipocytes and fibrous proliferation were observed.

RESULTSTrace of SVFs labeled by DiI in vivo could be detected by fluorescent microscope. The wet weight of fat grafts was (191.90 +/- 9.81) mg in group A, (177.01 +/- 10.50) mg in group B, and (92.05 +/- 8.30) mg in group C (P<0.01). The diameter of fat grafts was (0.49 +/- 0.24) cm in group A, (0.40 +/- 0.26) cm in group B, and (0.32 +/- 0.28) cm in group C (P<0.01). Histological analysis showed the blood vessel density was (14.58 +/- 2.06)/HPL in group A, (11.55 +/- 2.18)/HPL in group B, (7.87 +/- 1.55)/HPL in group C. Compared with group B and group C, group A had more adipose tissue with less fat necrosis and fibrosis and had significantly higher capillary density.

CONCLUSIONSThe autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction cells with VEGF could improve the neovascularization of free fat significantly. It indicates a wide clinical application in the future.

Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Animals ; Capillaries ; Graft Survival ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Organ Size ; Stromal Cells ; transplantation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; therapeutic use

Mitral regurgitation(MR)is a common valvular heart disease in China,the prevalence of which increases with age,and most patients present with a wide range of cardiac or non-cardiac comorbidities.Transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair(TEER)has become a guideline-recommended,safe and effective treatment option for patients with severe primary or secondary mitral regurgitation.With the rapid development of TEER technology in China,relevant devices have been developed and approved for clinical trials,including the self-designed and manufactured JensClip system,which adopts a unique slider locking design to realize the innovation of mitral clip locking mode.Here we reported a case of JensClip device in treatment of a patient with degenerative mitral regurgitation(DMR).

Objective To establish a method for testing isolated mitral valve in vitro and quantitatively evaluate the effect of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair technology(TEER)on functional mitral regurgitation(FMR)(non-A2-P2 regurgitation).Methods In this study,an FMR(non-A2-P2 regurgitation)model was developed by dilating the annulus orifice and displacing the papillary muscle in isolated porcine mitral valve.The hydrodynamics characteristics of 6 valves were tested by a pulsatile flow testing system under different physiological and pathological conditions before and after TEER.Results The results show that the valve regurgitation improved from moderate-severe[regurgitant fraction(60.2±17.5)％]to mild-moderate[regurgitant fraction(34.7±12.0)％]by repair(P＜0.001).The EOA[(3.8±1.6)cm2 vs.(2.2±0.5)cm2,P＜0.001]and the forward cross valve pressure difference[(1.8±1.3)mmHg vs.(3.8± 1.8)mmHg,P＜0.001],which characterize the forward flow performance of the valve,were compared before and after repair,and the differences were statistically significant.At the same time,the repair caused valve stenosis(the effective orifice area decreased by 40％and the positive differential pressure increased by 110％),but the valves was still within the normal physiological range,and no iatrogenic stenosis was caused.Conclusions It can be seen that TEER has an effect on FMR.This study provides validation and evaluation methods in vitro for expanding indications and improving TEER,and reference for developing standards of transcatheter valve repair testing in vitro.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is currently one of the main therapeutic strategies for aortic valve disease.Preoperative imaging assessment is crucial for operation project planning and prevention of procedure-associated complications.Different from planar image reconstruction,3D printing technology can accurately depict the anatomical structure of the aortic root.It enables further assessment of operative risk and therapeutic strategy through in vitro simulation,especially for assessing the risk of coronary artery obstruction and planning interventional procedures.Here,we report on two patients who underwent a 3D printing aortic root anatomical simulation model,followed an by in vitro balloon dilatation/valve implantation test,to evaluate the risk of coronary artery obstruction suggested by CT angiography planar image reconstruction before TAVR.