OBJECTIVETo explore the expression patterns of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 10 fertile men, performed density gradient centrifugation, and then determined the expressions of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the sperm by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed the mRNA expressions of CXCL12 (0.641 +/- 0.180) and CXCR4 (0.464 +/- 0.100) in the sperm. However, only CXCR4 rather than CXCL12 was expressed at the protein level, and the positive staining for CXCR4 was observed mainly in the posterior part of the acrosome.

CONCLUSIONCXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved as important molecules in regulating the function of human sperm.

Acrosome ; metabolism ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the changes of choroidal thickness in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP)and its effect on visual function.Methods 37 patients with RP(62 eyes)and 30 healthy volunteers(60 eyes) as the control group were selected.The subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)of eyes was detected by using optical coherence tomography(OCT)technology for enhanced depth imaging(EDI).The full -field ERG was performed,and the waveform changes of ERG were recorded.According to T32 or LVC program,the visual fields of RP eyes were examined,the mean sensitivity (MS),mean defect degree (MD)and loss variance (LV)were recorded.The correlations between variables were analyzed by using Pearson correlation analysis.Results The SFCT of RP patients was (218.7 ± 62.8)μm,which of the control group was (291.5 ±54.1)μm,covariance analysis showed that there was no interaction between age and group(F =1.574,P =0.213),compared the two groups,the difference was statistically significant (t =7.347,P <0.001).The ERG latency of RP patients was longer than that of the control group,and the amplitude was lower than the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P <0.05 ).Among 62 eyes in BP patients,the light adaptation response waveforms of 26 eyes reduced,36 eyes had no waveform,there was no difference between SFCT in the waveform reduced and no waveform (P >0.05 ).The dark adaptation response waveform of 23 eyes reduced,39 eyes had no waveform,there was no difference between SFCT in the waveform reduced and no waveform(P >0.05).24 eyes accepted T32 program examined,the MD,MS,LV and SFCT were (19.6 ±6.1)dB, (10.3 ±5.2)dB,(33.9 ±14.9)dB2 and (212.9 ±69.8)μm,respectively.Pearson correlation analysis showed that the SFCT of eyes was negatively correlated with MD and LV(r =-0.502 and -0.687,all P <0.05),while was positively correlated with MS (r =0.551,P =0.005).38 eyes accepted LVC program examined,the MS and SFCT were (7.4 ±4.9)dB and (229.3 ±64.7)μm.Pearson correlation analysis showed that the SFCT of eyes was not correlated with MS (r =0.108,P =0.519).Conclusion The SFCT of RP patients is significantly reduced.But it is not related with the changes of full -field ERG waveform.The correlation with visual field examination is affected by eye condition of central vision.When central vision has less damage,SFCT can reflect central visual photographic ability.

Objective To explore the changes of serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its clinical significances.Methods 148 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) were divided into diabetic group (T2DM group,n =54),non-proliferative DR group (NDR group,n =49) and proliferative DR group(PDR group,n =45).In the same period,45 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.The clinical data were collected.The serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 were detected.The clinical values of serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in predicting the progression of DR were analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve(ROC curve).Results The levels of TC in the PDR group,NDR group and T2DM group were higher than that in the control group[(5.4 ± 0.6) mmoL/L,(5.6 ± 0.8) mmol/L,(4.6 ± 0.6) mmol/L,F =15.376,P ＜ 0.001].The duration of disease,FPG,HbA1 c,TG,LDL-C in the PDR group were higher than those in the NDR group and T2DM group[(12.4 ±2.9)d,(8.2 ±2.1)d,(5.6 ± 1.7) d,F =109.167,P ＜0.001;(10.4 ±2.4) mmol/L,(9.2 ± 0.9) mmol/L,(7.6 ± 1.1) mmol/L,(4.6 ± 0.7) mmol/L,F =86.294,P ＜ 0.001;(11.1 ±1.9) ％,(9.9 ±2.1)％,(7.8 ±0.5)％,(5.5 ± 0.4)％,F =153.854,P ＜0.001;(2.6 ±0.7) mmol/L,(2.5 ±0.5) mmol/L,(1.9-± 0.4) mmol/L,(1.6 ± 0.3) mmol/L,F =38.694,P ＜ 0.001;(4.4 ± 0.8) mmol/L,(3.8 ±0.9) mmol/L,(3.1 ±0.7) mmol/L,(2.4 ±0.5) mmol/L,F =87.261,P ＜0.001],and NDR group ＞ T2DM group ＞the control group,The level of HDL-C in the PDR group were was lower than those in the NDR group,T2DM group and the control group,and NDR group ＜ T2DM group ＜ the control group,the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in the PDR group were higher than those in the NDR group,T2DM group and the control group [(0.92 ± 0.13) ng/mL,(0.64 ± 0.11) ng/mL,(0.47 ± 0.09) ng/mL,(0.31 ±0.07) ng/mL,F =317.850,P ＜ 0.001;(315.74 ± 52.38) pg/mL,(223.49 ± 45.17) pg/mL,(146.35 ± 41.86) pg/mL,(81.07 ± 37.54)pg/mL,F =266.606,P ＜ 0.001],which of the NDR group were higher than the T2DM group and the control group,those of T2DM group were higher than the control group,the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 were positively correlated with disease duration,HbAlc and LDL-C (r =0.276,0.314,0.384 and 0.304,0.335,0.416,all P ＜0.05),while serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 were negatively correlated with HDL-C (r =-0.314 and -0.287,all P ＜ 0.05).The ROC curve showed that the serum levels of TGF-β1 in predicting the progression of DR,the area under the curve was 0.964(95％ CI:0.931 ～0.998),when the cutoff value of TGF-β1 was 0.78ng/mL,the sensitivity was 91.1％,and the specificity was 91.8 ％,and for the serum levels of IL-6,the area under the curve was 0.913 (95 ％ CI:0.855 ～ 0.972),when the cutoff value of IL-6 was 280.45 pg/mL,the sensitivity was 80.0％,and the specificity was 91.8％.Conclusion The serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in patients with DR are increased,and are correlated with the progression of the disease.They can be used as indicators to assess the progression of patients with disease.

Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA -126(miR -126)in the blood plasma in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR)and its possible mechanism.Methods 81 patients with DR,65 patients with type 2 diabetes and 50 healthy people (control group)were selected.The expression of miR -126 in plasma was detected by real -time PCR.The serum concentration of VEGF was detected by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The correlations between variables were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.The value of miR -126 in predicting the occurrence of DR was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curves).Results The expressions of miR -126 in plasma in DR patients and type 2 diabetes were lower than the control group,which in DR patients was lower than the type 2 diabetes,the serum concentrations of VEGF in DR patients and type 2 diabe-tes were higher than the control group,which in DR patients was higher than the type 2 diabetes,the differences were statistically significant (all P <0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of miR -126 in plasma was negatively correlated with the concentration of VEGF (r =-0.352,P <0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for expression level of miR -126 in predicting DR occurrence was 0.848 (95% CI:0.776 -0.919),when the expression level of miR -126 ≤0.47,the sensitivity was 83.1%,and specificity was 80.2%. Conclusion The expression of miR -126 in plasma in DR was reduced,while the serum level of VEGF was elevated.The miR -126 might through negatively regulated VEGF to regulate retinal angiogenesis.It expected to be blood indicators for early detecting DR.

Adult ; Drowning ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; poisoning ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; X-Ray Film ; Young Adult

ADAM Proteins ; blood ; immunology ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Exchange ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; blood ; pathology ; therapy

To compare the clinical effect of phacoemulsification and middle incision extracapsular cataract extraction ( Ml-ECCE) . METHODS: One hundred and eighty - five eyes of phacoemulsification (137 cases) and 185 eyes of 139 cases for Ml-ECCE from January 2011 to May 2013 were involved in this study. And the ratio posterior capsular rupture during surgery, visual acuity, corneal edema, corneal astigmatism and intraocular pressure post operation were followed up.RESULTS: On 1d after surgery, uncorrected visual acuity in the group of Ml-ECCE was better than that of phacoemulsification group, while from 3d; 1 and 3mo after surgery, no significant difference was found from the above two groups. On 1d postoperation, corneal edema ratio in phacoemulsification group ( 45 eyes ) was higher than that in Ml-ECCE group(20 eyes) ( X2=11. 665, P=0. 0006 ) . No significant difference was found for the ratio of posterior capsule rupture during surgery in these two surgical technique groups(X2=0. 094,P=0. 759). On 1wk;1 and 3mo after surgery, significant difference was found for the average of surgical induced corneal astigmatism between two groups (u=6. 661, 6. 880, 4. 187, P = 0. 00, respectively ). During following up, no significant difference was found for the intraocular pressure between two groups ( u=1. 858, 0. 963, 0. 471, 1. 349, 1. 388; P= 0. 063, 0. 335, 0. 638, 0. 177, 0. 165). lntraocular pressure on 1d postoperation in phacoemulsification and Ml-ECCE groups was higher than before operation ( u = 19. 86, 19. 39, P = 0. 00, respectively). And on 1wk; 1 and 3mo postoperation, intraocular pressure in the operated eyes in both groups was lower than before operation for 2~3mmHg.CONCLUSlON: Although phacoemulsification and Ml-ECCE could both get good visual rehabilitation, with similar visual outcome, no significant effect for intraocular pressure, and no severe complications, the latter one owns the advantage that easier maneuver, quicker recovery, and cheaper instruments needed, which is suitable for the hard nuclei cataract in local hospitals. Ml-ECCE is a safe, effective and easy manipulation for local hospital for large batch of cataract surgeries.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is of high variation,which results in persistent infection of HCV and increases the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Following the successful paradigm established for HIV protease inhibitors,HCV NS3-4A serine protease has been selected as the main target for the development of small molecule antiviral agents.In this article,we review recent progress in the discovery and development of HCV NS3-4A protease inhibitors,and discuss their antiviral activities,pharmacokinetic properties,side effects and resistance profiles.

Objective To cultivate and identify the transgenic affalfa containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene. Methods The alfalfa plants were transformed by co-cultivating alfalfa cotyledons via recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring pBI-Eg95. The transgenic alfalfa explants were selected by kanamyein after calli formation, shoots and roots regeneration in the selective medium, the seedlings of transgenic plants were obtained which were finally transplanted into pots containing nutrient soil. After 2-3 months growth, the complete transgenic alfalfa plants containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene were obtained. To identify the transgenic alfalfa plants, the total DNA, RNA and leaf protein were extracted from fresh leaf tissue of the transgenic alfalfa plants and confirmed by PCR, RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay. Results A specific band around 471 bp was amplified by PCR with total DNA, and the same band was obtained by RT-PCR with total RNA, which confirmed that the Eg95 gene was stably integrated into the transformed alfalfa genome. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass(Mr) of the expressed protein was about 16.5×103, consistent with the Eg95 protein, and the level of Eg95 expression was up to 0.06% of total soluble leaf protein by Bio-Rad Quantity one assay. Western blot verified the expressed protein was reactive with the sera of mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Conclusion The transgenic alfalfa plants containing Echinococcus granulosus Eg95 gene are successfully cultivated.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and carry out analysis on pharmacoeconomic cost-effect of three therapeutic schemes in the treatment for stroke. Methods Through a retrospective survey method, 115 stroke patients, based on different treatment methods, were divided into 3 groups:Xuesaitong group (A), carthamin yellow group (B), and Xueshuantong group (C). An analysis on pharmacoeconomic cost-effect was conducted. Results The costs of three therapeutic schemes were 1030.4 yuan, 1876 yuan, and 1545.6 yuan, respectively. The total effective rates of stroke patients in groups A, B and C were 85.37%, 88.57% and 90.04%, respectively. The cost-effect ratios of groups A, B and C were 12.07, 21.18, and 17.17. The added cost-effect ratios of groups B and C compared with group A were 264.25 and 110.32, respectively. Conclusion Xueshuantong Injection has more pharmacoeconomic advantage than Xuesaitong and carthamin yellow Injections in treating stroke.