Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.

Objective To investigate the effect of tumor cells supernatant on treatment of diabetic foot ulcer in mice and on the expression of VEGF-A,α-SMA and Vimentin.Methods A total of 45 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group (group A),tumor cell supernatant treated group (group B),and diabetic control group (group C).Mouse models of type 2 diabetic foot ulcers were established in group B and group C.After the first day of modeling,group B were treated with tumor cells supernatant and the other two groups were injected with equal volume of medium.At the 1st,3rd and 7th day following model established,mouse ulcer area was observed in each group.The ulcer infection rate and mortality of mice were compared between each group.The ulcer tissue of each group was HE-stained and the expression of VEGF-A,α-SMA and Vimentin in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).ELISA assay was used to detect the relative protein levels and stability in tumor cells supernatant.Results The healing degree in group A (66.7％) and group B(80.0％) was better than that in group C(33.3％) and the infection rate (group A=0,group B=7.1％) and mortality (group A=0,group B=6.7％) were significantly lower than those of group C (40.0％,33.3％),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,HE staining showed that the healing time of group A and B was shorter than group C,and the epidermal coverage was more obvious.The expression levels of VEGF-A,α-SMA and Vimentin detected by IHC in group A and B were significantly higher than those in group C.ELISA results showed high-level and stable TGF-β expression in the tumor cells supernatant.Conclusion The tumor cells supernatant can effectively promote the healing of diabetic foot ulcers in mice and TGF-β,VEGF-A,α-SMA and Vimentin play a very important role in ulcers healing process.

Objective To investigate epidemic characteristics of a family aggregation COVID-19, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of family aggregation epidemic. Methods] Field epidemiological methods were used to investigate the cases and close contacts of a family aggregation COVID-19 in Y County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. Descriptive statistical analysis was used on epidemiological data . The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that Ms. Deng was infected with COVID-19 and became the infectious source of the family aggregation epidemic , who had lived in Wuhan Hubei Province. Her boyfriend Mr. Cao became a second-generation case of COVID-19..Another two asymptomatic but infected persons were family members living with Ms.Deng . Conclusion COVID-19 easily spreads within families. The awareness of family members' protection, the education of new coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control in key groups should be strengthened to avoid the occurrence and spread of family aggregation epidemic.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to establish and evaluate the methodology of isolated rabbit eye (IRE) test.

METHODSIRE test was performed according to modifications of the in vitro toxicology (INVITTOX) Protocol No.85: Rabbit enucleated eye test by European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), and then 26 chemicals and 26 cosmetic products were tested in both in vitro IRE and in vivo Draize tests. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine the relevance of the IRE test to the data generated in the Draize test.

RESULTSIRE test was established successfully in our laboratory. It was shown that ranking correlation and class concordance were fairly well between the IRE test and the Draize test for 26 reference chemicals (Fisher's Exact Test χ(2)=51.314, P<0.001; McNemar P=0.261; Gamma=0.960, P<0.001; Kappa=0.843, P<0.001) and 26 cosmetic products (Fisher's Exact Test χ(2)=15.522, P<0.001; McNemar P=0.311; Gamma=0.967, P<0.001; Kappa=0.611, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONIRE test was established successfully for in vitro testing of eye irritation as an alternative to Draize test.

Animal Testing Alternatives ; Animals ; Cosmetics ; toxicity ; Eye ; drug effects ; Irritants ; toxicity ; Rabbits ; Toxicity Tests ; methods

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.
Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ferrous Compounds ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures in partially edentulous patients and the patients' satisfaction on masticatory function.

METHODSThe masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures of 22 patients were tested. The questionnaire of the patients' satisfaction about masticatory function had also been collected. The correlativity of the masticatory efficiency of implant supported dentures and the scores evaluated by patients on masticatory function were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were no differences in masticatory efficiency between implant supported denture and non-implant supported denture (natural teeth and porcelain-fused-to-metal fixed bridges). The patients gave high scores to the satisfaction about masticatory function in the questionnaire. But the test results of masticatory efficiency were not related with the scores evaluated by patients.

CONCLUSIONThe implant supported denture could meet the requirement of normal masticatory function. The patients were satisfactory with the masticatory function of implant supported dentures, but the patients' subjective evaluation about masticatory function was probably influenced by varied factors.

Anodontia ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastication ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; Patient Satisfaction

A new method based on high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOF/MS) was developed for the rapid identification of active compounds in Styela clava and the development of its specific chromatograms. Samples were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and the extraction conditions were optimized. The developed HPLC-ESI-TOF/MS method was used to identify the components in Styela clava extract, and a specific chromatogram based on HPLC analysis was established. Ten compounds in Styela clava extract have been primary identified by HPLC-ESI-TOF/MS on-line detection combined with literature review. The result of similarity evaluation for specific chromatograms indicated that the quality of different Styela clava samples was not entirely consistent. This method has the advantages of simple operation, rapid measurement and it is a powerful tool for identification of active components in Styela clava and its quality control.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Hypoxanthine ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tyrosine ; analysis ; Uridine ; analysis ; Urochordata ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has improved greatly in the last 15 years. The present study aimed to evaluate the endografting experience for the treatment of unfavorable abdominal aortic aneurysm (uAAA).

METHODSDuring December 2001 and December 2007, 41 patients with uAAA were treated with endografting using concomitant techniques. Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months (mean 20.5 months).

RESULTSTechnical success rate was 97.6% (40/41) with 1 failure converted to open surgery for an unaccessed iliac stenosis. Nine (22.5%) type I endoleaks (5 proximal and 4 distal) were observed on the completion angiograms and successfully corrected with aortic cuffs and iliac extensions during the procedure. Twenty-two of the planed adjunctive procedures were concomitantly performed just before endograft-implantation. There were 2 (5.0%) type I endoleaks at 30 days; one type I patient was treated by open conversion, another type I patient died from a rupture before treatment in the ward, causing a 2.5% of initial mortality. The two type II endoleaks were observed without aneurismal expansion. No buttock or leg claudication or ischemic colitis occured. During late follow-up, one additional death occurred from stroke. One new type I endoleak was encountered from thrombocytopenia, which caused a 2.6% secondary endoleak that converted to an open surgery in the third month after a failed transabdominal banding of the aortic neck in the second month. All type II endoleaks had disappeared in the third and sixth month. The Endografts did not present signs of material fatigue and no other type of endoleak formed. One patient presented with left limb ischemia, which underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. There was no additional aneurysm rupture or any endograft imgration.

CONCLUSIONThe endografting with concomitant procedures is a feasible and efficient alternative for managing unfavorable AAAs, achieving low morbidity and mortality rates and has a good clinical outcome.

Aged ; Angiography ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the potential risk factors of human infecting with Streptococcus suis.

METHODS1: M matched case-control study was conducted. 29 human cases of Streptococcus suis infection in the early phase were included in the case group, Patients' family members, neighbors and peoples who had worked together with patients to handle deceased or sick pigs in the last week were recruited as matched controls. There were 147 controls in total. Both cases and controls received questionnaire investigation including the ways to contact sick/dead pigs. Conditional logistic regression was employed to analyze matching data.

RESULTSAccording to the results of multivariate analysis, slaughtering (OR = 11.978, 95% CI: 3.355-42.756), carcasses cutting and processing (OR = 3.008, 95% CI: 1.022-8.849) sick/dead pigs were associated with cases related to human Streptococcus suis infection. The attributable risk proportion were 91.65% and 66.76% respectively. The other types of exposures to sick/ dead pigs, including feeding, selling, burying and eating, were not associated with the human Streptococcus suis infection in our study population.

CONCLUSIONSlaughtering, carcasses cutting and processing sick/dead pigs were important risky behavior for humans to be infected by Streptococcus suis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; etiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcus suis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo describe the clinical and epidemiological features of dead cases with human Streptococcus suis infections, and to find the target population for preventing death and the related indicators.

METHODSEpidemiological investigation on human Streptococcus suis infections was implemented used unified questionnaires. Analysis on dead cases and survival cases (as contrast) was done.

RESULTSThe population with highest fatality rate was in 40-49 age group. 97.37% of dead cases had toxic shock syndrome. The mean interval from onset to admission was 0.76 days, and the mean course was 2.11 days. The progression among dead cases was faster than that among survival cases. Chief clinical manifestations of dead cases that are more frequent than survival cases are purpura (73.68%), diarrhea (50.0%), dyspnea (21.05%), conjunctival congestion (34.21%), etc. Renal impairment and liver involvement in dead cases were more significant than that in survival cases. No significant difference between mean incubation period, exposure rates of main risk factors in dead cases and in survival cases was found.

CONCLUSIONPreventing toxic shock syndrome might reduce the fatality rate. The target population for preventing death is aged > or = 40. Liver function and renal function testing might be indicators for monitoring the progression of human Streptococcus suis infections.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Streptococcal Infections ; blood ; microbiology ; mortality ; pathology ; Streptococcus suis ; physiology ; Young Adult