OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of seminal plasma lipoprotein (a) in abnormal semen liquefaction and its clinical significance.

METHODSAccording to The WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, we conducted semen routine analyses of 101 patients with abnormal semen liquefaction and 26 normal healthy controls. We added chymotrypsin to the semen for 30 minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C. When there were filaments, we centrifuged the semen and obtained the upper seminal plasma to determine the level of lipoprotein (a).

RESULTSThe level of lipoprotein (a) was significantly higher in the 101 patients ([526.2 +/- 243.5] mg/L) than in the 26 normal controls ([296.9 +/- 105.2] mg/L) (P < 0.01) .

CONCLUSIONLipoprotein (a) can inhibit fibrin dissolution, and delayed fibrin dissolution in semen liquefaction may be related to the increased level of seminal plasma lipoprotein (a). The seminal plasma lipoprotein (a) level should be taken into account in the clinical diagnosis of male infertility caused by abnormal semen liquefaction.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lipoprotein(a) ; analysis ; Male ; Semen ; metabolism ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate hereditary susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) in apolipoprotein E(apo E) and apo B polymorphisms of youths.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to analyze apoE, apoB Xba I, apoB 3' variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) genotypes for 244 healthy Han students (among them were 109 students with positive CHD family history).

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of apo e4, XbaI x(+), 3'VNTR-B(hypervariable element, HVE>38) in the positive group were obviously higher than those in the negative group(P<0.05), and were significantly correlated with the increase in TC, LDL-C, apoB100 levels (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe alleles for apo e4, XbaI x(+), 3'VNTR-B may be the important genetic markers of Han CHD.

Adolescent ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins B ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Coronary Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult

Administration of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine (CSA) after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) induces a systemic auto-immune syndrome resembling graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), this syndrome termed autologous GVHD has significant antitumor activity, it can reduce the incidence of tumor relapse after APBSCT. The antitumor effect of this auto-aggression syndrome can be enhanced by the administration of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). Five consecutive patients who received APBSCT received therapy inducing autologous GVHD. Intravenous administration of CSA [1 mg/(kg.d) for 28 days] was begin on the day of transplantation. gamma-interferon (0.025 mg/m(2) qod) was administered sub-cutaneously from days 7 throngh 28 after transplatation. Results showed that four of five occured autologous GVHD-skin demage, five in control didn't occur autologous GVHD. The relapse rate of the treated cases was 20% (1/5) versus 60% (3/5) of the control, and the median survival time of the treated cases was 20 (4 - 30) months versus 10 (2 - 20) months of the control. The data indicates that autologous GVHD results in low relapse rate of the patients rececving APBSCT.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a statistics analysis software that can be used in STR population genetics for the purpose of promoting and fastening the basic research of STR population genetics. METHODS: Selecting the Microsoft VBA for Excel, which is simple and easy to use, as the program language and using its macro function to develop a statistics analysis software used in STR population genetics. RESULTS: The software "Easy STR Genetics" based on VBA language, by which the population genetic analysis of STR data can be made, were developed. CONCLUSION The developed software "Easy STR Genetics" based on VBA language, can be spread in the domain of STR population genetics research domestically and internationally, due to its feature of full function, good compatibility for different formats of input data, distinct and easy to understand outputs for statistics and calculation results.
Algorithms ; Electronic Data Processing ; Genetics, Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Quality Control ; Software ; Software Design

In our previous studies,a novel cortex-like TiO2 coating was prepared on Ti surface through micro-arc oxidation (MAO) by using sodium tetraborate as electrolyte,and the effects of the coating on cell attachment were testified.This study aimed to investigate the effects of this cortex-like MAO coating on osseointegration.A sand-blasting and acid-etching (SLA) coating that has been widely used in clinical practice served as control.Topographical and chemical characterizations were conducted by scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer,X-ray diffraction,contact angle meter,and step profiler.Results showed that the cortex-like coating had microslots and nanopores and it was superhydrophilic,whereas the SLA surface was hydrophobic.The roughness of MAO was similar to that of SLA.The MAO and SLA implants were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their in-vivo performance through micro-CT,histological analysis,and fluorescent labeling at the bone-implant interface four weeks after surgery.The micro-CT showed that the bone volume ratio and mean trabecular thickness were similar between MAO and SLA groups four weeks after implantation.Histological analysis and fluorescent labeling showed no significant differences in the bone-implant contact between the MAO and SLA surfaces.It was suggested that with micro/nanostructure and superhydrophilicity,the cortex-like MAO coating causes excellent osseointegration,holding a promise of an application to implant modification.

OBJECTIVETo explore the signal transduction mechanisms of apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells in diabetic rats with fluctuant high blood glucose.

METHODSHealthy SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (A), stable high blood glucose group (B) and fluctuant high blood glucose group (C). Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg), and the fluctuant high blood glucose animal model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ordinary insulin and glucose at different time point every day. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in renal tissue homogenate were detected with colorimetry. The protein expression of Nox4 and JNK were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL).

RESULTSAfter 12 experimental weeks, significantly increased cell apoptosis, up-regulation of Nox4 and P-JNK expression in renal tubular epithelial cells were observed in B and C groups compared with those in A group. The MDA content increased and SOD activity decreased in renal tissue in B and C groups. Above effects were more obviously shown in C group.

CONCLUSIONFluctuant high blood glucose induced more apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell than stable high blood glucose in diabetic kidney, which might be related to the activation of JNK signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; NADPH Oxidase 4 ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This paper explored the curative effect of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 104 cases of early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma from Jan 1987 to Dec 2010 in PLA Hospital 307 were retrospectively analyzed, including 76 cases in combined modality therapy group and 28 cases in extended field radiotherapy group, and the long-term efficacy and toxicity of two therapy modalities were evaluated. The results showed that the median survival time of 104 cases was 85.42 months, the complete remission rates of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy groups were 72.4 and 71.4 respectively (P = 0.924); the overall response rates of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy groups were 97.4 and 96.4 respectively (P = 0.779); the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in the 2 groups were 89.5 and 89.1 respectively, and the 8-year OS rates of the 2 groups were 81.3 and 70.6. No statistical difference was found in above-mentioned 2 groups. Moreover, the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) rates of these 2 groups were 84.2 and 69.0 (P = 0.04), and 8-year PFS rates of these 2 groups were 80.0 and 55.5 (P = 0.04) respectively, the 5-year relapse rates of these 2 groups were 28.1 and 45.6 (P = 0.023) respectively. It is concluded that the combined modality therapy can raise the PFS rate and reduce the relapse rate as compared with extended field radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but there is no difference in the overall survival rate between the 2 groups.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of the pith decompression of the femoral head and fibular allograft transplantation in the treatment of early stage avascular necrosis.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to November 2008, 32 hips of 25 patients with avascular necrosis of femoral head of Ia-IIIb period were treated by the pith decompression of the femoral head and fibular allograft transplantation, hollow lag screw fixation, included 17 males and 8 females, aged from 20 to 55 years old (39.1 years on average). Preoperative pain was from 2 to 14 months (means 5.5 months). All patients were applied on conventional X-ray films, MRI examination, Harris score.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months (means 36.4 months). X-ray film showed 21 hips of 18 cases improved,6 hips of 4 cases unchanged, no collapse of articular surface, 3 hips of 2 cases deterioration, 2 hips of 1 case failed. Preoperative Harris score was (77.0 +/- 8.0) and postoperative (90.6 +/- 2.5), there was a significant difference (t = 1.67, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPith decompression of the femoral head and fibular allograft transplantation in the treatment of early stage avascular necrosis of femoral head has advantage of joint function in bed-ridden after a short time, quick recovery,clinical symptoms improved. Its short-term efficacy is certain but long-term efficacy is still need further observation.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; surgery ; Fibula ; transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous

Sinisan is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating various diseases; however, the in vivo metabolic profile of its multiple components remains unknown. In this paper, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was applied to identify the metabolites of Sinisan extract in rat plasma, urine, feces and bile after intragastric administration. Using MS(E) and mass defect filter techniques, 41 metabolites of 10 parent compounds (naringin, naringenin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d) were detected and tentatively identified. It was shown by our results that these compounds was metabolized to the forms of hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, glucuronidation with sulfation and glucuronidation with hydroxylation in vivo.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavanones ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hesperidin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hydroxylation ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway transcription factor glioma-associated oncogene hoinolog 1 (GLI-1) in EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of the prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cell line in vitro.

METHODSThe expressions of EGFR and GLI-1 in prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. ARCaP(E) cells were treated with EGF at 100 ng/ml, followed by detection of the changes in cell morphology and invasiveness, as well as in the expressions of p-ERK, ERK and GLI-1. Migration transwell assay was used to determine the effects of 100 ng/ml EGF and GLI-1 antagonist GANT61 on the invasiveness of the ARCaP(E) cells.

RESULTSBoth EGFR and GLI-1 were expressed in the ARCaP(E) cells. EGF induced morphological transition of epithelial-like ARCaP(E) cells to mesenchymal-like cells, increased their in vitro invasiveness, and significantly upregulated the expressions of p-ERK and GLI-1 in the ARCaP(E) cells (P<0.05). GANT61 significantly inhibited the in vitro invasiveness of the ARCaP(E) cells and reduced the enhancing effect of EGF on their invasiveness (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results from ARCaP(E) cells shed light on the cross-talk of the HH pathway with the EGF/ERK signaling pathway. GLI-1 might be responsible for EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of ARCaP(E) cells in vitro.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1