Objective To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β receptor-Ⅱ(TGF-βRⅡ) on AngⅡ inducing glomerular mesangial cell(GMC) proliferation and the expressions of TGF-β1 and psmad3 through transfecting TGF-βRⅡsmall interfering RNA(siRNA)into GMC. Methods Through transfecting fluo-rescence control siRNA into GMC ,we observed the transfection efficiency under fluorescence microscope after 6 hours. Transfecting TGF-βRⅡsiRNA and negative control siRNA into GMC respectively ,we detected the expres-sion of TGF-βRⅡ by western blot after 24 hours. The cells were divided into four groups:control group,AngⅡgroup,negative siRNA control group and TGF-βRⅡ siRNA group. Each group was stimulated by AngⅡ except the control group. After 24 hours,we detected the TGF-β1 and psmad3 protein levels by western blot and detected GMC proliferation by CCK8 kit. Results (1) Comparing with the scrambled control group,the expression of TGFβRⅡin the TGF-βRⅡsiRNA group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).(2)AngⅡcould accelerate the expression of TGF-β1. Transfecting TGF-βRⅡsiRNA into GMC decreased the expression of TGF-β1 protein(P<0.05).(3)AngⅡ could stimulate the phosphorylation of smad3. Transfecting TGF-βRⅡ siRNA into GMC de-creased the expression of psmad3 protein(P < 0.05).(4)Transfecting TGF-βRⅡ siRNA into GMC relieved the GMC proliferation AngⅡ-promoted(P < 0.05). Conclusions The AngⅡ stimulates the GMC proliferation,de-pending on the expression of TGF-βRⅡ. It is related to the expressions of TGF-β1 and psmad3.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of subinguinal microsurgical and single -port laparoscopic high ligation in the treatment of varicocele.Methods 218 patients with varicocele were enrolled in this study.According to the digital table,they were randomly divided into two group.148 cases were treated by subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy(microscopic group),70 cases were treated by single -port laparoscopic high ligation varicocele(single -port laparoscopic group).Postoperative follow up was 3 -24months.The operative duration,length of hospital stay,hospitalization expense,postoperative complications and semen quality parameters were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistically significant differences in operative duration and hospitalization expense between the two groups(all P <0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay (P >0.05).In the 218 followed -up patients,the sperm concentration and motility (grade a + b sperm)all significantly improved,which of the microscopic group and single -port laparoscopic group preoperation were (19.1 ± 8.2)×106 /mL,(18.2 ±7.9)×106 /mL and (22.7 ±7.8)%,(21.6 ±8.9)% respectively,which at 3 -6 months after operation were (56.2 ±10.8)×106 /mL,(45.8 ±12.9)×106 /mL and (58.8 ±9.7)%,(44.6 ±10.7)%, there were statistically significant differences compared with preoperation (t =6.227,9.579,all P <0.05 ). Conclusion The surgical methods in the treatment of varicocele can improve the quality of patients,but microscopic group is obviously better than single -port laparoscopic group in improvement of semen quality parameters,safety, patient -based compliance and economy.

Objective To study the epidemiological and clinical features of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) infection in children in Suzhou,and to provide the evidence-based foundation for early warning,diagnosis and treatment of respiratory infection in children.Methods The sputum specimens and medical history were obtained from children with acute respiratory tract infection hospitalized at the Childen's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from January 2006 to December 2015.Seven kinds of common respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus,influenza virus A,influenza virus B,HPIV Ⅰ,HPIV Ⅱ,HPⅣV Ⅲ and adenovirus were detected by using the direct im-munofluorescence.Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP),chlamydia pneumoniae,human bocavirns (hBoV) were detected by using fluorescence quantitative PCR.Rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus were detected by using reverse transcription-PCR.Sputum was cultured for bacteria.Results In 21 769 cases,the detection rate of HPIV positive was 3.21％ (829 cases),among which,HPIV Ⅰ,HPIV Ⅱ,HPIV Ⅲ were respectively detected in 113 cases (0.52％),16 cases (0.07 ％) and 700 cases (3.21％),respectively.There were 378 cases of simple infection and 428 cases of mixed infection,and the mixed infection was very common in Streptococcus pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenza,MP and hBoV.There was a difference in HPIV infection among genders,and the detection rate of the boys was higher than that of girls[4.14％ (563/13 591 cases) vs.3.25％ (266/8 178 cases),x2 =11.036,P =0.001].In the 28 d-1 year old and ＞ 1-3 year old group,the detection rate of HPIV was higher[4.71％ (494/10 476 cases) and 4.21％ (244/5 793 cases),respectively].In spring and summer,there was a higher detection rate of HPIV infection.The clinical manifestations with simple infection of HPIV Ⅰ and HPIV Ⅲ were cough,fever and wheezing.The rate of fever and shortness of breath in those of HPIV Ⅰ was 71.74％ (33/46 cases),10.87％ (5/46 cases),and that in HPIV Ⅲ was 40.12％ (134/334 cases),2.10％ (7/334 cases),HPIV Ⅰ infection was more likely to cause fever and shortness of breath than those of HPIV Ⅲ,there were significant differences (x2 =16.410,P ＜ 0.001;x2 =10.177,P =0.001).Pneumonia had the highest detection rate of viral infection.Conclusions HPIV Ⅲ is the leading pathogen among the types of HPIV in the hospitalized children in Suzhou area.Among the subtypes of HPIV,the peak of HPIV infection occurs in spring and summer.The children less than 3 years old are the most susceptible to parainfluenza virus,and the HPIV detection rate is gradually declines with age.

OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of sperm single-stranded DNA breaks (SSB) and double-stranded DNA breaks (DSB) in infertile men, explore the association of DSB with male infertility, and provide a new observation index and idea for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODSThis study involved 60 infertile men (infertility group) and 30 normal healthy males with infertile wives (control group). We comparatively analyzed the seminal parameters of the two groups, determined sperm concentration and viability using the computer aided sperm analysis system, measured the sperm survival rate by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test, examined sperm morphology by Diff-Quick staining, and detected sperm DNA damage by two-tail comet assay.

RESULTSNine two-tail comet models were established for detecting sperm DNA integrity. Comparisons between the fertility and control groups showed that the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was (33.8 ± 13.1) vs (16.3 ± 7.9)% (P < 0.01), the SSB-DFI was (19.2 ± 11.4) vs (14.9 ± 7.6)% (P > 0.05), the SSB-DFI/DFI was (56.8 ± 32.4) vs (91.4 ± 27.8)% (P < 0.01), the DSB-DFI was (23.9 +13.4) vs (6.1 ± 2.7)% (P < 0.01), and the DSB-DFI/DFI was (70.8 ± 19.5) vs (37.4 ± 11.3)% (P < 0.01). The optimal cut-off value of DSB-DFI/DFI in the diagnosis of male infertility was 39.5%, with the AUG, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.969, 98.3%, and 90%; that of DSB-DFI was 15.85%, with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.912, 86.7%, and 80%; and that of DFI was 18.65%; with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.861, 90%, 70%, respectively. In the infertile men, neither SSB-DFI nor SSB-DFI/DFI exhibited any correlation with semen parameters (P > 0.05); DFI was correlated negatively with the percentage of progressively motile sperm, sperm survival rate, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but not correlated with sperm concentration (P > 0.05); both DSB-DFI and DSB-DFI/DFI showed a negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm survival rate, and the percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDouble-stranded, rather than single-stranded DNA breaks, may be a factor inducing male infertility. The type of sperm DNA strand damage is of much reference value for the assessment of male fertility.

Case-Control Studies ; Comet Assay ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fertility ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Staining and Labeling

In this article, the implementation of eye movement tracking system includes three procedures: hardware acquisition, data extraction and overall analysis. The system is based on Camshift algorithm with an eye tracking module added, developed on VC++ 6.0. The system can track the eye movement effectively in simulated phosphene evaluation experiment based on prosthetic vision.
Algorithms ; Analysis of Variance ; Eye Movements ; physiology ; Prosthesis Design

Histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been implicated in the disease progression of several types of solid tumors. This study provides the first evidence showing that LSD1 overexpression occurred in 62.6% (224/358) of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC). LSD1 expression was associated with the progression of ccRCC, as indicated by TNM stage (=0.006), especially tumor stage (=0.017) and lymph node metastasis (=0.030). High LSD1 expression proved to be an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival (<0.001) and recurrence-free survival (<0.001) of ccRCC patients. We further show that LSD1 inhibition by siRNA knockdown or using the small molecule inhibitor SP2509 suppressed the growth of ccRCC and . Mechanistically, inhibition of LSD1 decreased the H3K4 demethylation at the gene promoter, which was associated with P21 upregulation and cell cycle arrest at G1/S in ccRCC cells. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the role of LSD1 in ccRCC and suggest the therapeutic potential of LSD1 inhibitors in ccRCC treatment.

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases in a rural population in Southern Guangxi, China.

METHODSThe enzyme immunoassays was used to detect of HBsAg and AFP. AFP positive serum samples were further examined for concentration of AFP by using a radio immunoassays. Liver morphological changes were measured with ultrasonography of type B.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBsAg in the studied population was 17.8% (2800/15,701). The prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease were 1.1% (173/15,701), 0.4% (63/15,701), 299.3 per 100,000 (47/15,701), 6.6% (1036/15,701), 4.8% (754/15,701) and 0.3% (47/15,701), respectively. The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease in male were significantly higher as compared with those in female (5.98 < or = chi(2) < or = 394.78, P < 0.01). No difference was observed in the prevalence rates of liver cavernous hemangioma and hepatic cysts between male and female. The prevalence rates of intrahepatic bile duct stones was significantly higher in female than in male (chi(2) = 30.80, P < 0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B and clonorchiasis were decreased with age. But the prevalence rates of cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cavernous hemangioma, hepatic cysts and intrahepatic bile duct stones were increased with age.

CONCLUSIONThe rural areas in the southern Guangxi are high prevalence regions of liver illness, and the male resident are even at high risk.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; epidemiology ; Liver Diseases ; epidemiology ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo analyze the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and determine its influencing factors in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with pegylated-interferon alpha (peg-IFNa)-2a and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy.

METHODSA total of 194 CHC patients were treated with peg-IFNa-2a and RBV for 48 weeks. Development of thyroid dysfunction was recorded. Clinical and biological factors from pre-treatment (baseline) to post-treatment were statistically analyzed to determine correlation with thyroid dysfunction in this patient population.

RESULTSFifty-two (26.80%) of 194 peg-IFNa-2a/RBV-treated patients developed thyroid dysfunction. Dysfunction severity ranged from hyperthyroidism (n = 1, 0.52%) and hypothyroidism (n = 10, 5.15%) to subclinical hyperthyroidism (n = 4, 2.06%) and subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 37, 19.07%). The dysfunction rate was significantly higher after peg-IFNa-2a/RBV treatment (26.80% vs. 12.37% at baseline, x2 = 12.829, P less than 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 0.386, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.226-0.657), in females (33.00% vs. 20.21% in males, P less than 0.05, 95% CI: 1.016-3.040), and in thyroid auto-antibody positive patients (64.29% vs. 23.89% in negative patients, P less than 0.05, 95% CI: 1.681-36.183). Early virological response did not have any significant effect on dysfunction rate (23.00% vs. 30.85% no early virological response, x2 = 1.522, P more than 0.05) nor did end of treatment response (27.19% vs. 26.25% no response at end of treatment, x2 = 0.021, P more than 0.05). Patients who developed thyroid dysfunction had higher interleukin (IL)-6 at baseline (i.e. before peg-IFNa-2a/RBV treatment) (27.08+/-14.90 vs. 11.65+/-5.46 in patients who maintained normal thyroid function, t = 3.127, P less than 0.05, 95% CI: 5.28-25.58). IL-6 levels were not significantly different between the two groups at 24 weeks (6.30+/-2.47 vs. 6.81+/-2.80, t = 0.352, P more than 0.05). IL-6 levels before and after 48 weeks of treatment in normal thyroid function patients were 27.08+/-14.90 and 6.30+/-2.47, t = 3.632, P less than 0.05, and in thyroid dysfunction patients were 11.65+/-5.46 and 6.81+/-2.80, t = 1.997, P more than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONPeg-IFNa-2a/RBV combination therapy may cause thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism, in CHC patients. Female sex and thyroid auto-antibody positivity may put CHC patients at higher risk of developing thyroid dysfunction during peg-IFNa-2a/RBV therapy. Elevated IL-6 may be a predictive marker of peg-IFNa-2a/RBV-induced thyroid dysfunction.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Thyroid Diseases ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the target cells and molecules with sodium valproate induced differentiation of human glioma cells.

METHODSNude mice bearing human glioma xenogenic graft subcutaneously were treated with sodium valproate. The expressions of HDAC1 and Tob genes of xenografts were analyzed with semiquantitative RT-PCR. The CD133+ cells (BTSCs) were isolated from glioma specimens by immunomagnetic sorting, and cultured in the medium containing FCS or in the serum-free medium supplemented with growth factors, respectively, followed by treatment with sodium valproate in vitro for 21 days. The cell surface markers were detected with flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.

RESULTSSodium valproate inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenografs bearing on nude mice (P<0.05), and up-regulated the HDAC1 expression (P<0.01), down-regulated the Tob expression (P<0.05). The cell surface markers of BTSCs were detected by flow cytometry after sodium valproate treatment for 21 days. In the FCS group, the GFAP or beta-tubulin III positive cells increased significantly (P<0.01), but in the growth factor group, no statistical differences were observed in the GFAP or beta-tubulin III expression (P>0.05). The results of confocal microscopy indicated that the GFAP+ or beta-tubulin III+ cells coexpressed with Nestin.

CONCLUSIONSHDAC1 and Tob genes were the potential target molecules in reversion of the differential inhibition of human glioma cells with sodium valproate. The BTSCs undergoing the processes of differentiation were the target cells for sodium valproate.

AC133 Antigen ; Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Histone Deacetylases ; genetics ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Nestin ; Peptides ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; methods

Objective: To investigate the changes of myo cardial contractile function during myocardial stunning in calcium overload rats and the protective effects of tetrandrine. Methods: Forty-six rats were randomized into control, myocardial ischemia, myocardial stunning, low and high dose of tetrandrine groups. Another 10 rats were used to identify the calcium overload. vitamin D3 (0.3 million Unit/kg) and nicotinic acid were adm inistered. After 16 d when calcium overload occured, left anterior descending ar tery was ligated. Twenty minutes of myocardial ischemia followed by 60 min of re perfusion was induced. The contractile function parameters were determined dynam ically. At the end of experiment, myocardial cytosolic ［Ca2+］i was deter mined in various groups. In tetrandrine groups, tetrandrine (62.2 or 93.6 μmol/ kg ) was administered by gastrogavage daily.After 16 d, the rats undergone the e xperiments mentioned above. Results: Sixteen days after vitamin D3 , nicotinic acid were given, ［Ca2+］i increased by 2.6 folds (146.8±10.8 ) vs (368.5±22.6) nmol/L, (P<0.01). Whereas, ［Ca2+］i in tetrand rine groups were (210.8±16.4) and (198.6±15.3) nmol/L, which were significantl y lower than that of calcium overload group. Twenty minutes of myocardial ische mia resulted in the decrease of dp/dtmax and Vmax in all groups with the most si gnificant in stunning and calcium overload groups. The contractile function rest ored gradually after reperfusion. At all time points, dp/dtmax and Vmax in both tetrandrine groups were higher than those in both stunning and calcium overload groups. And effect with higher dose of tetrandrine were more significant than in low dose of tetrandrine. After 60 min of reperfusion, dp/dtmax in stunning, cal cium overload, low and high dose of tetrandrine groups were 49.7%, 51.5%, 71.0% and 83.4% of that in control, respectively， and Vmax were 55.0%, 49.8%, 73.9% and 77.5% of that in control, respectively. Conclusion: T he myocardial contractile function in vitamin D3-induced calcium overload gro up is impaired. On basis of myocardiocyte calcium overload, transient ischemia l eads to myocardial stunning. At the stage of ischemia, the impaired degree of my ocardial contractile function is similar to that in stunning group, suggesting a t this stage the effect of ischemia on myocardial function is greater than that of calcium overload. Tetrandrine chronically improves the myocardial function in Vitamin D3-induced calcium overload rats.