OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of the epididymal size 1 year after vasectomy.

METHODSFifty male volunteers received vasoligation. Before and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, we measured the size and detected the internal echoes of the epididymis using color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTSThe bilateral epididymides were both thickened post-operatively in all the 50 cases, with statistically significant differences between the baseline and the 1st month, the 1st and the 2nd month, the 2nd and the 3rd month, or the 3rd and the 6th month after surgery (all P < 0.01), but not between the 6th and the 12th month (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWithin 6 months after vasectomy, the bilateral epididymides manifested a progressive thickening, but basically restored their balance of secretion-absorption after 6 months.

Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Postoperative Period ; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Vasectomy

Objective To conduct a microbiological and parasitological investigation of experimental minipigs in Guangdong province. Methods Four major experimental minipig production units in Guangdong province were included in this investigation. Samples were taken from a total of 154 pigs of 4 brreds, i. e. , Bama minipigs, Juema minipigs, Tibet minipigs and Wuzhishan minipigs. Pig fur, scales, serum, rectal swabs and feces samples were collected for detection of 20 pathogens. The data were analyzed and compared among the production units and breeds. Results Mixed infections were detected in all the four institutions. The infection rates of 7 pathogens were rather high: Streptococcus suis type 2 (50. 7%), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (40. 3%), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (100%), Japanese encephalitis virus (41. 3%), porcine circovirus type 2 (74. 8%), porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (73. 8%),gastroenteritis virus (44. 7%). Porcine parvovirus (26. 0%), pseudorabies virus(15. 6%) and intestinal worms (3. 2%) were also detected in some animals. The immune qualified rates of classical swine fever virus (62. 8%) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (35. 8%) were rather low. The immune qualified rate of pseudorabies virus was as high as 98. 4%. Besides, Salmonella, Brucella, swine dysentery snake like spirochetes, dermatophytes, influenza virus. Toxoplasma gondii, ectoparasites, and coccidia were not detected. Conclusions The results of this investigation indicate that epidemiological quality control of pathogens in experimental minipigs and efforts to establish high grade minipig population in Guangdong province remain to be strengthened. Our study also provides a basis for revision of local and even national standards for experimental minipigs.

OBJECTIVETo study comparatively the fingerprint of zhuang medicinal material-ant nest of Macrotermes annadalei from different areas in Guangxi.

METHODThe fingerprint of total amino acid of 12 lots of ant nest of M. annadalei from different areas was determined by high speed amino acid analyzer. Separation was perform on anylytical column (4.6 mm x 40 mm), column temperature at 57 degrees C. The flow rate of buffering solution was 0.4 mL x min(-1), and the flow rate of ninhydrin was 0.3 mL x min(-1).

RESULT18 characteristic peaks in the fingerprints were identified in 12 lots of samples, the chromatographic overlap rate was 89.4%-100.0%, and the total relative peak area of 7 lots of samples was over 52% in eight main peaks.

CONCLUSIONThe components of amino acid of ant nest of M. armadalei from different areas in Guangxi are very similar. The qualities of majority samples are good as well. The fingerprints can provide the useful information for the quality evaluation and the identification of ant nest of M. annadalei.

Amino Acids ; analysis ; Animals ; Ants ; China ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Powders ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers.

METHODS2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism.

RESULTS163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia.

CONCLUSIONCarrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.

Adult ; Carrier State ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Rural Population ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.

METHODS19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method.

RESULTSIn the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONCombination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; analysis ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; analysis ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of long-term anoxic exposure on the sperm function of male adults at different altitudes.

METHODSA total of 28 male adults that had stayed at the altitude of 5 340 m for 1-3 years were included as a high-altitude group (HAG), 34 at the mean altitude of 3 800 m for 2-5 years as a middle-altitude group (MAG) and 31 permanently at the altitude of 1 300 m as controls. Semen specimens were collected and the real-time semen analysis was performed by using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system.

RESULTSThe sperm density, VCL, VSL, VAP and LIN in the HAG were (51.12 +/- 14.61) x 10(6)/ ml, (48.17 +/- 13. 52) microm/s, (32.64 +/- 6.70) microm/s, (41.21 +/- 9.32) microm/s and 52.24 +/- 8.14, respectively, significantly lower than those of the control (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, there was a progressive decrease in sperm concentration, sperm motility rate, VSL, VCL, LIN, VAP and ALH in the MAG.

CONCLUSIONThe higher the altitude, the more obvious was the negative effect of anoxic exposure on the sperm function of male adults.

Adult ; Altitude ; Control Groups ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare, distinct subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, possessing an aggressive course and poor prognosis with no standard therapy. Twelve patients who have failed at least two initial CHOP or CHOP-like regimens were enrolled in this study and treated with individualized cyclosporine (CsA), prednisone (PDN), and monthly, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HDIVIG). The dose of CsA was adjusted individually based on the blood trough concentration of CsA and renal function. All patients were examined for response, toxicity and survival. The most significant toxicities (≥ grade 2) were infection (16.7%), renal insufficiency (8.3%), hypertension (8.3%), diabetes (8.3%) and insomnia (16.7%). Discontinuation of treatment occurred in one patient (8.3%) due to grade 3 renal toxicity and subsequent grade 4 pulmonary infection. Treatment-related death was not observed. The overall response rate was 75.0% (complete response, 33.3%; partial response, 41.7%). With a median follow-up of 25.5 months, the median duration of response was 20 months (range, 12 to 49 months) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 25.5 months (range, 10 to 56 months). The 2-year PFS rate was 81.5%. Our findings indicate the combination of CsA, PDN and HDIVIG is an effective salvage regimen for refractory or relapsed AITL with predictable and manageable toxicity.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Salvage Therapy ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

Objective To analyze the possibilities of screening SPF rabbits and guinea pigs from conventional animals, viral antibodies of the conventional rabbits and guinea pigs bred by licensed companies in Guangdong province during 2014-2016 were determined according to the standard of SPF animals in GB14922. 2. Methods Nine batches of 167 rabbit sera and 155 guinea pig sera were sampled from 6 companies. Serum antibodies to virus were determined by ELISA according to GB14922. 2. Results Positivity of antibody to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) was 82. 2%(129/157) for the vaccinated rabbits, and negative result were obtained for unvaccinated rabbits. Positive rate of rabbit rotavirus (RRV) was 42. 5% (71/167). No positive antibody responses to Sendai virus were detected out in all rabbits. The positive rates of guinea pig reovirus type III (REO-3) and pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) were 52. 9%(82/155)and 20% (31/155) respectively. Antibody responses to Sendai virus ( SV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus ( LCMV) were negative in all guinea pigs. Conclusions Although the conventional rabbits and guinea pigs could meet the national standard, higher infection rates of virus excluded that SPF animals emerged in conventional animals, indicating that selection of SPF animals from conventional colonies is impracticable.

This study aims to isolate and identify the bacteria from the surface of Musca domestica adults in different livestock farms.The adults of Musca domestica were collected with sweep nets,then the surface of adult flies were washed with sterile water,and the eluted bacteria cultured with LB culture medium.The DNA of the bacteria isolated was extracted,16SrDNA fragment was amplified through general PCR,and the 16SrDNA sequence was blasted with bacteria sequence in NC-BI.Results showed that the number of Musca domestica adults and the bacteria from their surface had significant different in different livestock farms.The population density of Musca domestica adults had linear correlation with the number of bacteria from Musca domestica adults and the number of bacteria genus.Among the bacteria isolated from Musca domestica adults,Staphylococcus,Klebsiella,Escherichia and Serratia were the most common genus in the livestock farms.Most of the bacteria isolated from livestock farm house flies were opportunistic human bacterial pathogen,and the risk of bacterial pathogens spread to people was existed.The population density of house flies reflected the management level of different livestock farms.The house flies could mechanical transmit opportunistic human bacterial pathogen from livestock residue to human.So the house flies control and the monitoring of bacteria on body surface of house flies carried should be strengthened.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and prognostic value of the minimal residual disease (MRD) evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) in the newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients of China. Methods: Clinical data of 106 consecutively newly diagnosed MM patients with MRD data were retrospectively analyzed in a single center in China from June 2013 to June 2015. Results: ① Of 106 patients, 48 (45.3%) achieved MRD negativity. The median time to MRD-negative was 3 months. More patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) achieved MRD negativity compared with non-ASCT patients (62.2% vs 36.2%, χ(2)=6.536, P=0.011). ② Of 48 patients in complete remission (CR), 7 (14.6%) was MRD positive, 5 of them showed disease progression (PD) during the follow-up, and 3 died. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 19 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 28 months, both were significantly shorter than the CR patients with MRD-negative (P<0.05). ③At a median follow-up of 38 months, MRD-negative patients showed significantly superior outcomes compared with MRD positive ones, the PFS was not reach versus 17 months and the OS was not reach for both (P<0.001). Patients were grouped into 4 categories according to their MRD levels: 1% or higher, 0.1% to less than 1%, 0.01% to less than 0.1%, or negative. It showed that the outcomes (PFS and OS) tended to be improved along with the tumor depletion. ④ Multivariate prognostic analysis showed that MRD was a powerful independent prognostic factor for PFS[HR=0.133 (95% CI 0.062-0.288) , P<0.001] and OS[HR=0.156 (95% CI 0.050-0.484) , P=0.001]. According to MRD and cytogenetics, the patients were classified into 4 groups. High risk patients with MRD negative presented a significantly better outcome than high risk patients with MRD-positive, and a similar one to the standard risk patients with MRD-negative. Conclusions: MRD negativity by MFC was more popular in MM patients undergoing ASCT. MRD was an independent prognostic factor in MM. And the prognosis of MM patients can be stratified according to the level of MRD. MRD-negative patients with high risk cytogenetics presented a similar outcome to the standard risk ones. MRD by MFC should therefore be considered more widely applied in the clinic.
China ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome