OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis of experimental varicocele (EV) rats.

METHODSForty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 4-week EV (n = 12), 8-week EV (n = 12), 4-week control (n = 8), and 8-week control (n = 8). EV models were established by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The expressions of leptin and its receptor in the rat epididymis were measured by immunohistochemistry, and their mRNA expressions determined by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe expressions of leptin and its receptor in the epididymis were significantly higher in the 4- and 8-week EV groups than in the 4- and 8-week control groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two EV groups (P > 0.05). So were their mRNA expressions in the former two than in the latter two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the former two (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of leptin and its receptor are markedly increased in the epididymis of varicocele rats. Leptin may be involved in the mechanisms of varicocele inducing male infertility.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Leptin ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the safe distance from the tip of the cannulated screw to the apex of the femoral head, and to avoid cutting out of the cannulated screws from the femoral head.

METHODSFrom November 2007 to April 2008, the placement configuration of the cannulated screws in the femoral head on the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral view was investigated. And the relation between the three-dimensional configuration and the two-dimensional perpendicular view of the femoral head to establish a solid geometry formula was analyzed. According to the configuration, the distances from the tips of different cannulated screws to the apex of the femoral head to confirm the screws placement within the femoral head was measured.

RESULTSThe actual risk of cutting out of the cannulated screws varied according to the different placement of the cannulated screws in the femoral head, even if the screw tips were within the femoral head on the AP and lateral radiograph. The mean diameter of femoral head was 49.8 mm. If the cannulated screw is in the center of femoral head on the lateral view, the cannulated screw would not cut out as long as it was in the femoral head on the AP view. When the angle was 22.5°on the lateral view, and under 22.5°on the AP view, the distance from the screw tip to the apex of the femoral head would exceeded 2.2 mm. If the angle > 45°on the AP view, the distance would exceed 9.6 mm. When the angle was 45°on the lateral view, and under 22.5°on the AP view, the distance would exceed 8.2 mm. When the angle > 45°on the AP view, the distance would exceed 17.7 mm. When the angle was 67.5°on the lateral view, the distance would exceed 23.1 mm on AP view.

CONCLUSIONSIf the cannulated screw is in the center of femoral head on the lateral view, the cannulated screw won't cut out as long as it is in the femoral head on the AP view. The angle is larger on the AP and lateral view (especially on the lateral view), and the distance is longer.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Femur Head ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fluoroscopy ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVECombined hypoxic cytotoxic drugs and chemoradiotherapy is an important mean of oncotherapy, and Tirapazamine (TPZ) is one of the most remarkable drugs. It has been shown that TPZ has a synergistic effect with radiotherapy on tumor cells, but whether TPZ would down-regulate the expression of the hypoxia-induced genes has not been reported. This study was to investigate the hypoxia-induced mRNA expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and osteopontin (OPN) in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells and the radiosensitization of TPZ, a hypoxia-specific drug, on HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells in vitro.

METHODSThe IC50 values of TPZ for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells were measured using MTT assay, and the mRNA expressions of HIF-1alpha and OPN in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells was determined using RT-PCR under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, respectively. The survival rates of HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with or without TPZ at IC10 in the presence or absence of oxygen for 6 h were determined using colony formation assay following exposure to 1-6 Gy of 60Co radiation. The dose-survival curves were plotted and the values of D0, Dq and SER were calculated as a single-hit multitarget model.

RESULTSThe IC50 values of TPZ were 34.81 μmol/L and 35.02 μmol/L in HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells under aerobic condition, and 30.20 μmol/L and 28.48 μmol/L under hypoxic condition, respectively. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and OPN mRNA were reduced by TPZ in HNE-1 cells, but not in CNE-1 cells under hypoxic condition. For the HNE-1 cells, the respective values of D0 and Dq were 0.89 Gy and 0.28 Gy following normoxic irradiation versus 1.47 Gy and 0.44 Gy following hypoxic irradiation. For the CNE-1 cells, the respective values of D0 and Dq were 0.72 Gy and 0.68 Gy following normoxic irradiation versus 0.95 Gy and 0.56 Gy following hypoxic irradiation. The values of D0 and Dq for HNE-1 and CNE-1 cells treated with TPZ under hypoxic condition following irradiation were 0.66 Gy, 0.21 Gy and 0.85 Gy, 0.79 Gy, respectively.

CONCLUSIONTPZ can down-regulate hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1alpha and OPN mRNA of HNE-1 cells and radiosensitize the HNE-1 cells but not CNE-1 cells, and act as a hypoxia modifier.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cobalt Radioisotopes ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Radiation Tolerance ; drug effects ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Triazines ; pharmacology

Objective To review the surgical approach and skills of craniotomy for resecting anterior cranial base and sphenoidal ridge meningioma. Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with anterior cranial base and sphenoidal ridge meningioma treated between July, 1998 and April, 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. The meningioma was resected via the unilateral subfrontai approach in 4 cases, via the bilateral subfrontal approach in 17 cases, via the pterion approach in 5 cases and via modified ptetion approach in 7 cases. Results Total resection of the meningioma was achieved in 30 cases, subtotal resection in 2 cases and partial resection in 1 case. The clinical symptoms were improved after the operation in 28 cases. One patient showed paralytic aphonia, 1 developed hemiplegia, 1 had psychiatric symptom, 1 died and 2 experienced tumor relapse after the operation. Conclusion The selection of appropriate surgical approach according to the location of the tumor in relation to the skull base, blood vessels and nerves before the operation, careful operation and protection of the blood vessels and nerves during the operation are crucial to reduce the rate of disability, mortality and tumor recurrence following surgical resection of anterior cranial base and sphenoidal ridge meningioma.

Objective:To investigate the effects of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy on complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted in 784 pregnant women including 111 cases of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy and 673 pregnant women with normal thyroid function as control group. All women were registered and delivered in the Department of Obstetrics of our hospital from April 2016 to April 2017. The complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the two groups were analyzed.Results:Age, body weight before pregnancy, body mass index(BMI), 1 h plasma glucose and 2 h plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test in persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia group were higher than those in control group( P<0.05), with increased incidence of anemia during pregnancy( P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the incidences of gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension between the two groups( P>0.05). No significant statistical differences were found in macrosomia, stillbirth, neonatal malformation, postpartum hemorrhage, acute delivery, premature delivery, fetal intrauterine development delay, and small full-term infants between the two groups( P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age( OR=1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, P=0.002) and pre-pregnancy body weight( OR=1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, P=0.046) were risk factors for the occurrence of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters was associated with anemia during pregnancy( OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2, P=0.024). Conclusions:Pregnant women who are older and heavier before pregnancy should pay more attention to their thyroid function. Pregnant women with persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters should be concerned for anemia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tibial composite saphenous nerve tissue flap in repairing traumatic bone-skin defect of leg.

METHODSFrom February 2009 to May 2015, 23 patients with focile skin defect caused by trauma were treated, including 18 males and 5 females, aged from 8 to 59 years old with an average age of 35.6 years old. Length of tibia bone cortex defect ranged from 4 to 12 cm, width ranged from 2 to 2.5cm, skin defect ranged from 8 cm× 3 cm to 18 cm× 11 cm, all the wound surfaces had purulent exudation. Cross shift and ipsilateral shift methods of tibial composite saphenous nerve tissue flap were used to reconstruct continuity of the injured limb tibial brace and repair wound surface. Cutting flap ranged from 9 cm× 4 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm, bone flap length was 6 to 15 cm, width was 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Fracture healing time and recovery of limb function were observed.

RESULTSAt 3 to 5 months after operation, bone flap and area of affected area were healed with an average of 4.7 months. Twenty-three cases were followed up for 6 months to 5 years with an average of 30.3 months. Thirteen patients were able to walk without abnormal gait and could be engaged into original work. According to Enneking evaluation systems, 13 patients obtained excellent results, 8 moderate and 2 poor.

CONCLUSIONSWith tibial composite saphenous nerve tissue flap transplantation at stage one to repair tibia and skin defects according to specific condition of affected limbs has a high rate of success and creates less damage to region of limb injury, which is an ideal method to repair skin defect of focile.

Ginkgo biloba and Panax notoginseng are both herb medicines for cerebrovascular disease, and play an active role in treating ischemic cerebrovascular disease(ICVD). Their mechanisms of action include antioxidant stress, nerve protection, vascular protection. According to the comparative study of literatures, G. biloba has a certain protective effect from the early stage of free radical formation throughout the whole process of causing cell inflammation and apoptosis in antioxidant stress; while P. notoginseng has mainly anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis effects. In the nerve protection and repair of nerve damage caused by glutamate, both could promote neurogenesis, repair damaged axons and protect nerve cells. In addition, G. biloba could also relieve neurotoxicity caused by glutamate damage, while P. notoginseng have a unique effect in repairing blood-brain barrier(BBB) and blood vessel regeneration. In clinic, they are used as auxiliary drugs in combination with thrombolytic therapy, and play curative effects in alleviating inflammation, eliminating edema, improving the cure rate and the prognosis. For cerebral diseases caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, G. biloba could reduce inflammation and improve cognition. In addition, G. biloba could protect neurocyte by adjusting the secretion of dopamine in vivo, and has a certain effect on antidepressant diseases, which however needs further studies.
Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Panax notoginseng ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal