Adenoma, Villous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Mullerian Ducts ; pathology ; Papilloma ; pathology ; Vaginal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the level of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and idiopathic oligoasthenospermia by measuring the content of DEHP in the semen samples of different subjects.

METHODSWe obtained semen samples from 100 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia, 50 working all the year round in the plastic greenhouse (group A) and the other 50 constantly dining from plastic meal boxes (group B). We also enrolled 50 normal male volunteers as controls (group C). We conducted semen analyses using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer, measured the DEHP concentration by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, and subjected the data to statistic processing by t-test and correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe mean concentrations of DEHP in the seminal plasma were (0.72 +/- 0.48), (0.71 +/- 0.49) and (0.21 +/- 0.18) mg/L in groups A, B and C, respectively, significantly higher in A and B than in C (both P < 0.05). The DEHP concentration was negatively correlated with sperm motility (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe DEHP level in the seminal plasma is higher in infertile men frequently exposed to plastic products than in normal males and excessive DEHP may be one of the important factors of idiopathic male infertility.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; etiology ; Plastics ; adverse effects ; Semen ; chemistry

PURPOSE: Cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA)-expressing CD8+T cells have been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the mechanisms underlying the loss of self-tolerance remain unclear. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the development of homeostasis in the immune system. We, therefore, hypothesized that a reduced ability of Tregs to inhibit autologous CD8+CLA+T cells might be underlying mechanism in AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD8+CLA+T cells and Tregs were obtained from the peripheral blood of AD patients and control volunteers. The frequencies of CD8+CLA+T cells were evaluated. The proliferative responses of CD8+CLA+T cells were assessed by flow cytometry, and the levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in culture supernatants were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Our results revealed higher frequency and increased expression of perforin and granzyme-B in peripheral CD8+CLA+T cells in AD, and lower inhibitory ability of Tregs on proliferation of CD8+CLA+T cells in AD. Meanwhile, the levels of TGF-beta1 produced by Tregs were significantly lower in AD, and anti-TGF-beta1 abolished such suppression. CONCLUSION: The attenuated inhibitory ability of Tregs on hyper-activated autologous CD8+CLA+T cells, mediated by TGF-beta1, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Adult ; Aged ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects/*immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Separation ; Dermatitis, Atopic/*immunology/pathology ; Female ; Granzymes/metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Perforin/metabolism ; Skin/*immunology/pathology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/drug effects/immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects/*immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-tumor effect of combination TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) with aspirin on liver cancer cell line, SMMC-7721.

METHODSThe survival fraction of SMMC-7721 cells was measured by MTT assay, apoptosis rate and cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related gene was identified by western blot.

RESULTSThe survival fraction of SMMC-7721 cells treated with 300 ng/ml TRAIL, 3 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L aspirin alone was 82.76%, 81.34% and 71.29% respectively, and the survival fractions of SMMC-7721 cells treated with TRAIL and 3 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L aspirin were 43.54% and 37.8% respectively. The apoptosis rates of SMMC-7721 cells induced by TRAIL and 3 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L aspirin were higher than that induced by TRAIL or aspirin alone (34.76% and 38.56% vs 21.25%, 1.89% and 6.08%), and G0/G1 arrest was observed under TRAIL and aspirin. The expression of Bcl-2 in SMMC-7721 cells treated by 3 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L aspirin decreased markedly, but no effect on Bax.

CONCLUSIONThe cooperative anti-tumor effect of aspirin and TRAIL may be related to the inhibition of the expression of Bcl-2 by aspirin

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Aspirin ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the development of pelvic floor muscle, morphology and location of rectum and anal canal as well as morphology of spinal cord and sacrum based on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty for anorectal malformation and to provide information on management of fecal incontinence.

METHODSClinical and MRI data of 34 children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty for anorectal malformation in the Second Hospital of Shangdong University from September 2009 to December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 13 females with the age of 3 to 14 years old. All the children underwent MRI detection. The morphology of external anal sphincter, puborectalis, ani levator, rectum and anal canal as well as the development of spinal cord and sacrum were observed using 1.5T MR scanner, including routine axial view, coronal view and sagittal view.

RESULTSMRI revealed that dysplasia of external anal sphincter, puborectalis and anilavatory were found in 18, 23 and 27 children, respectively. MRI also showed ectopia of rectum(n=6), dilation of rectum(n=12), increased anorectal angle(n=11), fat tissue around the anal canal(n=5), tethered cord syndrome(n=2), Currarino syndrome(n=2), sacrum dysplasia(n=11); and rectourethral fistula(n=2). The above MRI findings were confirmed by operation and clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONSMRI can provide clear morphology of external anal sphincter, puborectalis and ani lavatory, and location of rectum and anal canal as well as the development of spinal cord and sacrum. MRI is a valuable method to evaluate the children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty.

Child ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Fecal Incontinence ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvic Floor ; Retrospective Studies

Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; secondary ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the effect of nicorandil on early prognosis in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅳ patients,aged 18-64 yr,with New York Heart Association grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ,scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement with CPB,were divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table method:control group and nicorandil group.Nicorandil was intravenously infused at 10-60 μg · kg-1 · h-1 (3-15 ml/h) after anesthesia induction until the end of surgery in nicorandil group.Before anesthesia induction (To) and at 6,12,24,48 and 72 h after surgery (T1-5),and when the patients were discharged from hospital (T6),venous blood samples were obtained for determination of the concentrations of serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide.The events of myocardial ischemia or development of arrhythmia before and after surgery,development of defibrillation during restoration of heart beat,spontaneous heart beat,drug administration during restoration of heart beat,heart rhythm after restoration of heart beat,and the requirement for cardiovascular drugs during and after surgery were recorded.The mechanical ventilation time,duration of intensive care unit stay,and length of postoperative hospital stay were also recorded.Results Compared with control group,the concentrations of serum cTnI at T2,3 and brain natriuretic peptide at T2-6 were significantly decreased,the consumption of intraoperative norepinephrine and postoperative dobutamine was reduced,and the ventilation time and duration of intensive care unit stay were shortened (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the rate of defibrillation,restoration of spontaneous heart beat,requirement for drugs during restoration,heart rhythm after restoration or duration of postoperative hospital stay in nicorandil group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Continuously infusing nicorandil during surgery can reduce myocardial injury and improve early prognosis in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement with CPB.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between Y chromosome microdeletions and human spermatogenesis in infertile men with varicocele (VC).

METHODSWe divided 174 infertile VC patients into groups A (with azoospermia, n = 47) , B (with severe oligozoospermia, n=57) and C (with mild oligozoospermia, n=70), and enlisted 28 fertile males and 26 fertile females as normal controls. We collected DNA from the peripheral blood, amplified 6 sequence tagged sites in AZFa, AZFb and AZFc using multiplex PCR technique. Then we separated and scanned the amplified products by agarose gel electrophoresis to identify microdeletions and their types in comparison with the controls.

RESULTSY chromosome microdeletions were observed in 12.64% of the patients (22/174), 11 cases in group A and the other 11 in group B, but none in group C and the normal controls. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In group A, 6 of the microdeletion cases were in the AZFc region, 1 in the AZFa region, 2 in the AZFb region and 2 in both AZFb and AZFc regions, while in group B, 8 cases were in the AZFc region, 2 in the AZFb region and 1 in both AZFb and AZFc regions.

CONCLUSIONInfertility is correlated to Y chromosome microdeletions in VC patients. Y chromosome microdeletion screening should be performed for infertile VC patients, especially for those with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development ; Varicocele ; genetics

BACKGROUNDRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) followed by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable primary liver cancer (PLC) has not been widely discussed. In this study, the outcome of the combination of RFA with TACE was retrospectively evaluated.

METHODSFrom May 2003 to March 2008, 127 consecutive PLC patients with a median age of 56.4 +/- 8.8 years underwent RFA plus TACE. All patients were deemed to have unresectable PLC based on their tumor characteristics. The maximal diameter of the tumor was between 1.5 cm and 10.0 cm. Twenty-six cases with small ( 5.0 cm) tumors were included in this study. RFA was performed using a RITA Medical Systems expandable electrode device, which was followed by first-time TACE administration one to two months later.

RESULTSTechnical success of RFA was achieved in all 127 patients with no severe treatment-related complications. RFA was performed percutaneously in 16 (13.5%) cases, by laparoscopic approach in 19 (15.7%), and through laparotomy in the remaining 92 (72.4%). RFA response was classified as complete ablation in 48 cases, nearly complete ablation in 28, and partial ablation in 51. The total 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates after RFA were 83.1%, 55.7%, and 43.7%, respectively. The survival rates at 3 years were 78.6%, 28.1%, and 0 for complete ablation, nearly complete ablation, or partial ablation groups, respectively. Three-year disease-free survival rates for the complete ablation and nearly complete ablation groups were 50.3% and 21.3%, respectively. RFA response and liver function were significant variables influencing survival time as analyzed using the Cox regression model.

CONCLUSIONRFA could be the first-line exterminate treatment for unresectable PLC, and TACE following RFA may assist in eradicating the peripheral viable tissue and micro-metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo measure the iodine content of normal thyroid and the sternocleidomastoid muscle with gemstone spectral imaging (GSI),in order to offer diagnostic reference for iodine excess or iodine deficiency disorders.MethodsA total of 226 cases of patients with suspected neck or cervical disease underwent GSI of the neck,the thyroid and the sternocleidomastoid muscle.One hundred and nineteen cases were male and 107 female,aged 18 to 77 years,average age(46 ± 17) years.Data were transmitted to AW 4.4 workstation and processed using GSI Viewer software to obtain the best contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle and corresponding singe-energy images.Iodine content of left and right thyroid lobes and both sides of sternocleidomastoid muscle as well as iodine content ratio of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle were calculated in the iodine-based images.ResultsTotal iodine content of the left and the right lobes of the thyroid was (1.5233 ±0.4318)mg/cm3,of the left lobe was (1.5230 ± 0.4271 )mg/cm3,of the right lobe was (1.5236 ± 0.4365 )mg/cm3,there was no significant difference statistically between the two(t =0.0084,P ＞ 0.05).The iodine content of the male was (1.6395 ± 0.4105)mg/cm3,and of the female was (1.4238 ± 0.3832)mg/cm3,there was statistically a significant difference between the two(t =3.4743,P ＜ 0.01 ).Iodine content ratio of thyroid to sternocleidomastoid muscle was 96.6271 ± 33.2442,the ratio in male was 94.6250 ± 37.3621 and in female was 98.0000 ± 29.0737,there was no statistical difference between the two(t =0.3817,P ＞ 0.05).The iodine content of thyroid decreased gradually with age,the difference between groups was statistically significant(F =9.66,P ＜ 0.01 ).The iodine content in ＜ 40 age group[(1.7256 ± 0.4631)mg/cm3] was higher than that in 40 - 60 age group[(1.4517 ±0.3643)mg/cm3] and ＞ 60 age group [(1.4368 ± 0.3465)mg/cm3; q =5.6195,5.4158,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions It is easy to calculate thyroid iodine content with gemstone spectral imaging,which can reflect the iodine level of our body,and is helpful for the diagnosis of iodine excess or iodine deficiency disorders.