OBJECTIVETo report a case of simple congenital bilateral ejaculatory duct absence (EDA) complicated with seminal vesicle cyst and review the relevant literature in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of a case of bilateral congenital EDA complicated with seminal vesicle cyst, reviewed the relevant literature at home and abroad, and comprehensively analyzed the embryonic development, diagnosis, and treatment of congenital EDA.

RESULTSThe patient was a 23-year-old man, present at the clinic for infertility after married for a year. Vasography and other imaging examinations confirmed simple congenital bilateral EDA complicated with seminal vesicle cyst. Pathologic biopsy showed normal spermatogenic function of the testes.

CONCLUSIONCongenital EDA originates from embryonic developmental defect of the mesonephric duct, and it can be confirmed by vasography. Transurethral incision of the ejaculatory duct and intracytoplasmic sperm injection can be employed for the treatment of bilateral EDA.

Cysts ; complications ; diagnosis ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; abnormalities ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminal Vesicles

OBJECTIVETo identify the correlation of the volume of residual urine (VRU) with the severity of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor contractility in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA total of 152 patients with clinically diagnosed BPH underwent ultrasonography for measurement of the prostate volume and RVU, free uroflowmetry, and urodynamic examination for the severity of BOO and detrusor contractility. Using the software SPSS20. 0, we analyzed the correlation between the ultrasonographic results and urodynamic parameters and compared the two sample means by the t-test.

RESULTSThe prostate volume was correlated positively with BOO severity (r = 0.432, P < 0.01) and detrusor contractility (r = 0.343 , P < 0.01) while Qmax negatively with BOO severity (r = 0.327, P < 0.01) but not significantly with detrusor contractility (r = 0.123, P > 0.05). VRU showed a significantly negative correlation with detrusor contractility when > 150 ml (r = -0.490, P < 0.01), even more significantly when > 300 ml (r = -0.717, P < 0.01), but exhibited no significant correlation with it when ≤ 150 ml (r = 0.041, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVRU can somehow predict the detrusor function. For patients with VRU > 150 ml, especially for those with VRU > 300 ml, the detrusor function should be evaluated and urodynamic examination is recommended for exact assessment of BOO severity and detrusor contractility.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Hypertonia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Urine ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of in utero exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on the apoptosis of testicular cells in the pubertal male rat offspring.

METHODSTen pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into a control and an experimental group to be treated intragastrically with olive oil (1 ml per day) and DBP (500 mg per kg of body weight per day) respectively between gestation days 12 and 19. At the pubertal age (postnatal day 45, PND 45), the testes of the male rat offspring were removed for observation of the cell structure under the transmission electron microscope and the development of different spermatogenetic cells by HE staining. The apoptosis of testicular cells was detected by the TUNEL method, the expressions of the apoptosis-regulating proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bax and p53 were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and the data obtained were compared between the two groups by t-test.

RESULTSTransmission electron microscopy revealed increased apoptosis and vacuolization of testicular cells in the PND-45 rat offspring, HE staining showed markedly decreased numbers of different spermatogenetic cells, TUNEL manifested significantly increased apoptosis of testicular cells in the experimental group as compared with the control (12.00 ± 5. 22 vs 3.17 ± 1.47, P < 0.01), and immunohistochemistry and Western blot exhibited remarkably higher expressions of Bax and p53 in the former than in the latter group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn utero exposure to DBP can increase the apoptosis of germ cells and Sertoli cells, induce the vacuolization of testicular cells, and significantly elevate the expressions of the apoptosis-promoting proteins Bax and p53 in the pubertal male rat offspring.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Body Weight ; Dibutyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; cytology ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis ; cytology ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the association of body mass index(BMI)with metabolic status and chronic complications in newly-diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.Methods A total of 515 newly- diagnosed adults type 2 diabetic patients were categorized into underweight(BMI

Objective To study the changes of posterior corneal elevation with one-year follow-up by using Allegro Oculyzer anterior segment diagnostic system in patients who had undergone laser in situ keratomileusis with femtosecond laser (FS-LASIK) for myopia. Methods Ninety eyes of forty-five patients who had undergone FS-LASIK for myopia were included in our study . The spherical equivalent of ametropia was-10.63D to -1.63D. The preoperative and postoperative corneal tomography (including 1, 3, 6 and 12 month after operation ) were collected by Allegro Oculyzer in the posterior corneal elevation and the thickness at central corneal thinnest point of each eye were measured , and the differences of the posterior corneal elevation were calculated. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the changes of posterior corneal elevation from the preoperative time to the any postoperative follow-up time (F = 1.50, P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant changes of the posterior corneal elevation from the 1st month to 12th month postoperatively (F = 1.47, P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the changes of thickness at central corneal thinnest point from the preoperative to the 12th month postoperative (F = 369.10, P <0.01). At postoperative time, the posterior corneal elevation was not correlated with several factors including spherical equivalent , ablation depth , residual bed thickness, ablation percentage per total corneal thickness and (corneal flap thickness + ablation depth) /thinnest point preoperative corneal thickness (P > 0.05). Conclusion After strictly followed surgical indications in FS-LASIK, the posterior corneal elevation can keep good stability and has no significant change. Thickness of central cornea thinnest point increases gradually and tends to stablity at the 3th months after surgery.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of testicular appendages, observe their morphology, and analyze their histopathological origins.

METHODSWe observed 67 testes in 54 patients (15 children and 39 adults) undergoing scrotal surgery, investigated the incidence of testicular appendages, and identified their histopathological origins. We used the Chi-square test to compare the findings from the children and adult patients, with P < 0.05 as statistically significant.

RESULTSThe detection rates of the appendix testis, appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aberrans inferior were 80.6% (54/67), 23.9% (16/67), 1.5% (1/67), 3.0% (2/67), and 1.5% (1/67), respectively. The incidence of testicular appendages was higher in children than in adults (93.3% vs 80.8%), but with no statistically significant difference (Chi2 = 1.339, P > 0.05), and that of the appendix testis and epididymis with pedicles was significantly higher in the former than in the latter (82.4% vs 54.7%, chi2 = 4.149, P < 0.05). Pathological examination showed that the appendix testis originated from the paramesonephric duct, while the appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aberrans inferior from the mesonephric duct.

CONCLUSIONTesticular appendages consist of five embryonic remnants, including appendix testis, appendix epididymis, paradidymis, vas aberrans superior, and vas aber- rans inferior. The appendix testis originates from the paramesonephric duct, and the other four from the mesonephric duct. The clinical implication of these testicular appendages is their tendency to torsion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epididymis ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Testis ; pathology ; Young Adult

Intervertebral disc degeneration is considered as a primary cause of clinical low back pain, however the molecular mechanism is not clear yet. Recently, researches on the molecular basis of intervertebral disc degeneration have become a hotspot. The special structure and biomechanics properties of the disc contribute to its propensity toward degeneration. Intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with the changes of the cytological behavior,including the increase in cell death and the degradation of extracellular matrix. However, the mechanism of cell death including cell apoptosis and autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration remains unclear. Further study on the molecular mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration is the foundation of improving and treating the intervertebral disc degeneration in the future. Although some progresses are made in the aspect of biological study, the biological environment of intervertebral disc itself is still a challenge for the development of biological treatment. This article is to review the latest advance on the biological characteristics of normal intervertebral disc and the cell death in the process of the intervertebral disc degeneration.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; metabolism ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Background and Objective Keshan disease is clinically characterized as a dilated eardiomyopathy. We analyze the prevalence trend during last decade of hypertension and Keshan-disease in Yangzhuang village which was a Keshan-disease epidemic area.Method The survey including medical history,blood pressure and ECG were carried out every two years during the follow up 13 years.Results During follow up period,the total detection rate(hypertension:13.4 % vs Keshan-disease:10.7 %,?~2=8.555,P=0.002)and the accumulative rate of hypertension were higher than those of Keshan-disease,which was on the contrary to that before 1993,when increasing rate of Keshan-disease was higher than hypertension.Furthermore,the accumulative increasing rate of hypertension was 240.0%,which was higher than the national average level during corresponding period with no significant differences between female and male.Conclusion The detection rate of hypertension in Keshan disease epidemic area was higher than the average rate nation-wide.Whether the hypertension prevalence was re- lated to Keshan-disease needs further investigation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and whether there is any difference between segmental pulmonary vein ostial isolation (SPVI) and circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA).

METHODSSixty-six patients with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation were assigned to undergo either SPVI or CPVA. Transthorax echocardiography was performed before, 1 day, 1 months and 3 months after the procedure. LA dimension, LA area, late diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve inflow (A) and peak atrial systolic mitral annulus velocity (A') were recorded.

RESULTSOf 66 consecutive patients with symptomatic PAF, 30 patients underwent SPVI and 36 underwent CPVA. After a mean follow-up of (315 +/- 153) days, 21 patients (70%) after SPVI and 28 patients (75%) after CPVA were free of atrial tachyarrhythmia. As compared with the baseline, LA area decreased at 1-month after ablation in SPVI group and at 3-month in CPVA group. LA dimension decreased also in SPVI group, but did not in CPVA group. A velocity and A' velocity declined remarkably 1 day after CPVA, and restored 3 months later. The former went back to the level of baseline, and the latter exceeded it apparently. In SPVI group, A velocity increased at 1-month, and maintained in 3-month after ablation. A' velocity increased at 3-month after ablation. No reduction of A velocity or A' velocity was found after SPVI.

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated a decrease in LA area and an improvement in LA systolic function 3 months after ablation for PAF. The LA damage by CPVA was more than that by SPVI, which was characterized by the reduction of LA function 1 day after procedure and the delayed improvement of LA size and functional parameters.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Atrial Function, Left ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDComplete tumour resection is important for improving the prognosis of brain tumour patients. However, extensive resection remains controversial because the tumour margin is difficult to be distinguished from surrounding brain tissue. It has been established that 5-amino-4-oxopentanoic acid (5-aminolevulinic acid, ALA) can be used as a photodynamic diagnostic marker and a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in surgical treatment of brain tumours. We investigated the efficacy of ALA photodynamically guided microsurgery and photodynamic therapy on VX(2) brain tumour implanted in a rabbit model.

METHODSEighty New Zealand rabbits implanted with VX(2) brain tumours were randomly assigned to five groups: control, conventional white light microsurgery, a photodynamic therapy group, a photodynamically guided microsurgery group and a group in which guided microsurgery was followed by photodynamic therapy. The VX(2) tumour was resected under a surgical microscope. The tumour resection was confirmed with histological analysis. All animals were examined with MRI for presence of any residual tumour tissue. The survival time of each rabbit was recorded.

RESULTSAll treatment groups showed a significantly extended survival time compared with the control group. Photodynamically guided microsurgery combined with photodynamic therapy significantly prolonged survival time, compared with guided microsurgery alone. MRI and the autopsy results confirmed removal of most of the tumours.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that photodynamically guided surgery and photodynamic therapy significantly reduce or delay local recurrence, increase the effectiveness of radical resection and prolong the survival time of tumour bearing rabbits. Their combination has the potential to be used as a rapid and highly effective treatment of metastatic brain tumours.

Animals ; Brain Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Photochemotherapy ; methods ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation