OBJECTIVETo research the constituents in needles of Pinus sylvestris.

METHODRepeated column chromatography and preparation HPLC are used for compound isolation, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data analysis.

RESULTSix compounds, pinifolic acid (1), 15-oxo-8 (17) -labden-18-oic acid (2) , 15-acetoxy-labd-8 ( 17)-en-18-oic acid (3), dehydroabietic acid (4), 7alpha-hydroxydehydroabietic acid (5), 7beta-hydroxydehydroabietic acid (6) were isolated from the needles of P. sylvestris.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3-6 were isolated from the needles of P. sylvestris for the first time, and compound 3 is a new natural product. The petroleum ether and EtOAc extracts showed significant cytotoxic effects to Hela and A549. Compounds 2, 4-6 revealed a positive distinction compared to the control group.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Pinus sylvestris ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation of the anogenital distance (AGD) with cryptorchidism in male newborns.

METHODSThis study included 350 male infants delivered in two community hospitals between September 2013 and September 2014. Within 24 hours after birth, a pediatric surgeon measured the AGD of the neonates and determined whether they had cryptorchidism. According to the testicular position, we divided the undescended testes into three types: upper scrotal, inguinal, and non-palpable.

RESULTSTotally 39 cases of cryptorchidism were found in the 350 newborns. The AGD of the cryptorchidism infants was significantly shorter than that of the normal neonates ([2.01 ± 0.22] vs [2.35 ± 0.19] cm, P < 0.01), and statistically significant differences remained even when preterm and low birth-weight infants were excluded ([2.32 ± 0.14] vs [2.06 ± 0.19] cm; (2.37 ± 0.17) cm vs (2.12 ± 0.12) cm, all P < 0.01). The newborns with higher-position cryptorchidism had a shorter AGD, though with no significant difference (F = 0.434, P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the AGD between unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism ([1.96 ± 0.13] vs [2.02 ± 0.17] cm, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShorter AGD is associated with a higher incidence of cryptorchidism in male newborns. AGD could serve as a potential biomarker for disruption of androgen action during the male programming window period.

Androgens ; physiology ; Cryptorchidism ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Perineum ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo introduce the application of Ilizarov technique in ankle fusion with serious pathology and failed ankle arthrodesis.

METHODThe medical records and images of 9 cases of complex ankle fusion using Ilizarov external fixator were analyzed. Among the 9 cases, 6 received revisional ankle fusion, and 3 primary fusion for septic arthritis. All the cases were followed up for an average of 18.1 months.

RESULTSSix cases showed good results, i.e, no or mild pain, occasional limp and stable fusion and 3 cases fair results, i.e, moderate pain, persistent limp or occupational restriction, and stable fusion.

CONCLUSIONIlizarov technique is one of the effective method for the treatment of complex ankle arthrodesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Salvage Therapy

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Gastrectomy/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Jejunum/surgery* ; Laparoscopy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery*

BACKGROUNDGlioblastoma is the most common and lethal cancer of the central nervous system. Global genomic hypomethylation and some CpG island hypermethylation are common hallmarks of these malignancies, but the effects of these methylation abnormalities on glioblastomas are still largely unclear. Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter is currently an only confirmed molecular predictor of better outcome in temozolomide treatment. To better understand the relationship between CpG island methylation status and patient outcome, this study launched DNA methylation profiles for thirty-three primary glioblastomas (pGBMs) and nine secondary glioblastomas (sGBMs) with the expectation to identify valuable prognostic and therapeutic targets.

METHODSWe evaluated the methylation status of testis derived transcript (TES) gene promoter by microarray analysis of glioblastomas and the prognostic value for TES methylation in the clinical outcome of pGBM patients. Significance analysis of microarrays was used for genes significantly differently methylated between 33 pGBM and nine sGBM. Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between curves were assessed using the log-rank test. Then, we treated glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251) with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidines (5-aza-dC) and detected cell biological behaviors.

RESULTSMicroarray data analysis identified TES promoter was hypermethylated in pGBMs compared with sGBMs (P < 0.05). Survival curves from the Kaplan-Meier method analysis revealed that the patients with TES hypermethylation had a short overall survival (P < 0.05). This abnormality is also confirmed in glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251). Treating these cells with 5-aza-dC released TES protein expression resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONSHypermethylation of TES gene promoter highly correlated with worse outcome in pGBM patients. TES might represent a valuable prognostic marker for glioblastoma.

Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Brain Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Glioblastoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of combined androgen block therapy on hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit value (Ht) in patients with prostate cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with combined androgen block (orchiectomy and flutamide 250 mg, Tid). Complete blood counts were detected before initiation and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of therapy.

RESULTSHb level declined significantly in all patients from a mean baseline of (136 +/- 14) g/L to (126 +/- 16) g/L, (121 +/- 14) g/L, (120 +/- 15) g/L, (113 +/- 12) g/L, (121 +/- 13) g/L and (123 +/- 15) g/L at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Ht decreased from a mean baseline of 0.424 +/- 0.041 to 0.390 +/- 0.038, 0.381 +/- 0.042, 0.378 +/- 0.038, 0.366 +/- 0.041, 0.384 +/- 0.039 and 0.387 +/- 0.040. The differences between Hb, Ht before and after treatment were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with prostate cancer being treated with combined androgen block would develop a significant degree of anemia. Hemoglobin and hematocrit level should be monitored periodically. This kind of anemia can be treated by recombinant human erythropoietin.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgen Antagonists ; adverse effects ; Anemia ; chemically induced ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of acute urinary retention on the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration.

METHODSBlood samples from 34 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients with acute urinary retention were drawn immediately before suprapubic cystomy and 48 hours after relief of urinary retention. Serum PSA concentrations were measured with radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe mean serum PSA levels of BPH patients with acute urinary retention was (24.6 +/- 16.1) micrograms/L (range from 2.6 micrograms/L to 45.8 micrograms/L). Forty-eight hours after relief of urinary retention, the mean serum PSA levels declined to (9.4 +/- 6.3) micrograms/L (range from 1.7 micrograms/L to 16.6 micrograms/L). The difference was significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAcute urinary retention could dramatically increase the serum PSA value of patients with BPH. After relief of the urinary retention, the patients had a great than 50% decreased of PSA values.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; Urinary Retention ; blood

Objective To investigate the changes of the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and the retinoid X receptor(RXR?in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and to explore the possible mechanisms by which ABCA1 affects the formation of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS). Methods 24 carotid atherosclerotic plaque and 10 intestinal artery specimens were respectively collected to compared the expression levels of ABCA1 mRNA.RXR?mRNA and those protein,ABCA1 and RXR?gene expressions were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in the specimens,meanwhile the presence of ABCAI and RXRcprotein was assessed by Western blot.Results ABCA1(0.79?0.04)and RXR?(0.73?0.04)gene expression were significantly elevated in carotid atherosclerotic plaques(P

BACKGROUND:The traditional methods for preparing magnesium scaffolds include casting,powder metallurgy and laser processing technology.But these methods have some defects in pore connectivity,structure complexity,and personalization.Therefore,it is of great importance to explore a new method for the preparation of porous magnesium scaffolds.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the preparation and characterization of porous magnesium scaffolds fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.METHODS:A magnesium porous scaffold was prepared by 3D printing.The high-stability magnesium paste (consisting of magnesium powder,2-hydroxyethyl cellulose,polyethylene glycol,glycerol trioleate,ammonia,deionized water and absolute ethanol) was extruded from the pneumatic extrusion printing system to construct the scaffold,which was then sintered under protective atmosphere.The scaffold microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope.The phase composition of scaffold was observed by X-ray diffraction.The porosity was measured by drainage method.The compressive strength was measured by universal testing machine.The degradation was studied by immersing the scaffold in saline for 30 days,and the degradation rate and the pH value of soak solution were measured at regular intervals.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The magnesium scaffold was piled up by cylindrical filaments,and both the sizes of filaments and the pores were (450±50) μm.Also,there were many micropores in the filaments that formed the secondary pores.The porosity of the scaffold was (65.0±2.5)％ and the compressive strength was (0.87±0.15) MPa.The principal phase of the scaffold was magnesium.(2) The degradation of the scaffold continued with the soaking time,and the degradation rate showed a steady trend,which was (10±0.2) mm per year in average.The pH value of the soak solution increased in the first 5 days,and then the pH value was kept at 10.5±0.2.To conclude,3D printing technology provides a new method for porous magnesium scaffold preparation and application in bone tissue engineering.