Objective: To investigate the changes of radiosensitivity and the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in the surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells and to provide a theoretical basis for application of COX-2 inhibitors in clinic. Methods: Radiosensitivity of mother SHG-44 cells and that of surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells were studied by measuring the colony-forming rate. The mRNA transcription and protein expression of COX-2 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Results: The radiosensitivity was decreased and the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 increased in the surviving progeny of the irradiated SHG-44 cells compared with mother SHG-44 cells. The expression levels of COX-2 were negatively correlated with the radiosensitivity in the irradiated SHG-44 cells. Conclusion: Radiation induced upregulation of COX-2 expression and downregulation of the radiosensitivity in the the surviving progeny from the irradiated human glioma SHG-44 cells. The elevated expression of COX-2 may be one of the reasons for the radioresistance of irradiated SHG-44 cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of Staphylococcus aureus from infertile men on sperm motility and the relationship between virulence genes and the activity of spermatozoal immobilization.

METHODSWe collected 60 strains of non-repeated Staphylococcus aureus from the semen of 589 infertile males and analyzed the influence of Staphylococcus aureus on sperm motility using the computer-aided sperm analysis system. We selected the strains that apparently decreased sperm motility and detected their virulence genes by PCR.

RESULTSSperm motility was significantly decreased in 17 of the 60 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.05). The main virulence genes in these strains were hlg (33.3%), scn (23.3%), cna (20%), hlb (20%), and clfA (18.3%), others including icaA, fnbA, tst, seb, hld, eta and sea. The scn gene carriers accounted for 47.1% in the spermatozal immobilization positive group, significantly higher than 14% in the negative group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the percentages of the carriers of the other virulence genes between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInfections of Staphylococcus aureus in male reproductive system can lead to the decrease of sperm motility, which may be associated with the Staphylococcus complement inhibitor encoding gene scn.

Humans ; Infertility, Male ; microbiology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Semen ; microbiology ; Species Specificity ; Sperm Motility ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus ; pathogenicity ; Virulence ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the effect of miR-145 on migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells.Methods The effect of miR-145 overexpression on the expression levels of miR-145 and zeb-2 were detected with qRT-PCR and Western blotting.The changes of migration and invasion were examined using Transwell assay.Target genes of miR-145 were predicted by bioinformatics software.Dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to verify zeb-2 as a direct target of miR-145.zeb-2 siRNA was transiently transfected in SKOV3 and 3AO cells,Transwell was used to examine migration and invasion abilities.Results The migration and proliferation of SKOV3(=10.752,=0.000;=5.617,=0.005)and 3AO cells(=10.111,=0.001;=21.746,=0.000)decreased significantly after overexpression of miR-145.The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the relative luciferase activity of co-transfected miR-145 mimic and WT 3'UTR expression vectors was significantly lower than that of co-transfected mimic control and WT 3'UTR expression vectors(SKOV3:=4.572,=0.010;3AO:=3.528,=0.024).There was no significant difference in relative luciferase activity between co-transfected miR-145 mimic/MUT 3'UTR expression vector cells and co-transfected mimic control/MUT 3'UTR expression vector cells(SKOV3:=0.227,=0.831;3AO:=0.040,=0.970).Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the zeb-2 expressions in SKOV3(=1.490,=0.211)and 3AO cells(=0.114,=0.914)were not significantly different from negative control after 48 h of miR-145 overexpression.Western blot analysis showed that the expression of zeb-2 protein in SKOV3(=3.769,=0.020)and 3AO cells(=4.452,=0.011)decreased significantly compared with negative control after 72 h of miR-145 overexpression.Seventy-two hours after transfection of zeb-2 siRNA,Western blotting showed that the expression of zeb-2 protein in SKOV3(=4.660,=0.010)and 3AO cells(=4.594,=0.010)was significantly down-regulated.Transwell assay showed that the migration and invasion abilities of SKOV3(=18.655,=0.000;=18.026,=0.000)and 3AO cells(=5.500,=0.005;=8.780,=0.001)were significantly decreased.Conclusion miR-145 may inhibit the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by targeting zeb-2.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2 ; genetics

AIMTo evaluate the effects of molecular weight of dextran on drug-release of conjugate in vitro by screening colon-specific conjugates.

METHODSThe conjugates, synthesized with different molecular-weight dextran and dexamethasone, were incubated in the contents of different parts of rat gastrointestinal tract at 37 degrees C. The release of dexamethasone(Dex) and dexamethasonehemisuccinate was determined by HPLC. The mobile phase consisted of 35% acetonitrile and 65% trisodium citrate (50 mmol.L-1, adjusted to pH 4.1 with phosphoric acid).

RESULTSThere was no release of dexamethasone or dexamethasonehemisuccinate from conjugates in the stomach contents. The amount of Dex (including dexamethasonehemisuccinate) released from DexD26 in the contents of colon and cecum was shown to be 4.0 times higher than that released in the contents of proximal and distal small intestine while the amount of Dex (including dexamethasonehemisuccinate) released from DexD50 was shown to be 3.6 times higher. The amount of Dex (including dexamethasonehemisuccinate) released from DexD2 in the contents of colon and cecum and from DexD7.6 were 2.0 times and 1.9 times higher, respectively, than that released in contents of proximal and distal small intestine.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular weight of dextran showed marked effect on drug-release of the conjugate in vitro, and the conjugates with larger molecular-weight dextran have great potential in colon-specific delivery of dexamethasone.

Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Dextrans ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEFebrile seizure is a very common emergency in children. Although researchers home and abroad constantly pay close attention to studies on brain damage and lesion possibly caused by febrile seizure, studies of effects on motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory are relatively seldom. In our study, Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized for the purpose of the exploration of effects of febrile seizures on their motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory.

METHODSSixty 21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing (50 +/- 5) g were divided randomly and equally into febrile seizure group (FS), febrile control group (FG) and normal control group (NG). Febrile seizure animal model was induced by hyperthermal bath with 45 degrees C water. Febrile seizure was induced twice a day, thus ten times within five days in FS group. Rats of FG group were immersed in the same hyperthermal water for 2 minutes. Nothing special was performed on NG group. The abilities of motor and behavior of every rat in these 3 groups were tested in inclined plane test (IPT), overhanging test (OHT) and open field test (OFT) to show their varieties. Furthermore, Morris water maze was applied to evaluate the effects by febrile seizure on spatial learning and memory in rats during the place navigation test and spatial probe test.

RESULTSIn the present experiments, febrile seizures were altogether induced 192 times with the mean latency being (4.25 +/- 0.98) minutes and the mean duration being (1.06 +/- 0.59) minutes. The experiments confirmed that multiple febrile seizures could lead to decreases of abilities in all tests in which analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences between febrile seizure group and the other two (P < 0.01). In inclined plane test, the turning ability of the rats was weakened. The mean turning time was (9.1 +/- 2.6) seconds for FS, (5.3 +/- 2.1) seconds for FG and (5.3 +/- 2.0) seconds for NG. In overhanging test, the overhanging time was shortened: (33.4 +/- 18.1) seconds for FS, (50.1 +/- 20.3) seconds for FG and (59.0 +/- 20.7) seconds for NG. In the open field test, the rats became less active with the scores (5.1 +/- 2.0) for FS, (10.4 +/- 3.0) for FG and (13.2 +/- 2.3) for NG. Meanwhile, the authors discovered the decreases of the abilities of spatial learning and memory in rats caused by febrile seizures many times. In the place navigation test, the mean escape latency for the rats' looking for hidden platform was prolonged; the efficiency of their search strategy decreased; the swimming time the animals spent in platform region decreased [(44.02 +/- 5.25) seconds for FS, (51.75 +/- 5.28) seconds for FG and (57.07 +/- 5.36) seconds for NG; analysis of variance, P < 0.01.]; the number of times they crossed the platform area decreased [(6.07 +/- 1.77) times for FS, (9.25 +/- 2.07) times for FG and (11.34 +/- 2.37) times for NG; analysis of variance, P < 0.01]; the percentage of their swimming time fell (36.68% for FS, 43.13% for FG and 47.56% for NG).

CONCLUSIONThe experiments confirmed that multiple febrile seizures could result in damage and lesion of motor, behavior, spatial learning and memory in rats.

Animals ; Male ; Maze Learning ; physiology ; Memory ; physiology ; Motor Activity ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures, Febrile ; physiopathology ; Spatial Behavior ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the influences of statin treatment on MR vessel wall imagingobserved characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta of the elderly.Methods Elderly subjects (≥ 60 years) without any serious cerebro-cardiovascular diseases were recruited.Thoracic aorta was imaged on MR scanner for all the subjects.The plaque burden was calculated quantitatively,the composition of plaque in thoracic aorta was evaluated qualitatively,and the contributions of statin treatment to these characteristics were also compared by image interpretation personals.The thoracic aorta was divided into three segments (AAO:ascending aorta;AOA:aortic arch,and DOA:descending aorta)on the imaging.Results Totally 55 recruited subjects had atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,with 24 subjects receiving statin treatment,and 50 ％ (12/24) male,aged 73.8±6.3 years.The level of LDL C[(2.4±0.7)mmol/L vs.(3.1±0.8)mmol/L(P＜ 0.01)]and total cholesterol[(4.4±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.1 ±1.0)mmol/L(P＜0.01)]were significantly lower in statin group than in non-statin group.The lumen area,wall area,and total vessel area in all three segments of thoracic aorta were significantly smaller in statin group(all P＜0.05)than in nonstatin group.The average wall thickness in segment of AOA[(2.7±0.3)mm vs.(2.8±0.4)mm(P＜0.01)]and DAO[(2.5±0.4)mm vs.(2.6±0.5)mm(P＜0.01)]were smaller in statin group than in non-statin group.The incidence rate of intraplaque hemorrhage / mural thrombus [6 cases (25.0％) vs.8 cases(25.8 ％)]in thoracic aorta was a little lower in statin group than in non-statin group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions Statin treatment decreases LDL-C level,reduces the burden of atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,and maintains the atherosclerotic plaque stability.

Objective To compare the cognitive effects of guqin (the oldest Chinese instrument) music and piano music.Methods Behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data in a standard two-stimulus auditory oddball task were recorded and analyzed. Results This study replicated the previous results of culture-familiar music effect on Chinese subjects: the greater P300 amplitude in frontal areas in a culture-familiar music environment. At the same time, the difference between guqin music and piano music was observed in N1 and later positive complex (LPC: including P300 and P500): a relatively higher participation of right anterior-temporal areas in Chinese subjects. Conclusion The results suggest that the special features of ERP responses to guqin music are the outcome of Chinese tonal language environments given the similarity between Guqin's tones and Mandarin lexical tones.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of systemic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disease of childhood (CSEBV(+)T-LPD).

METHODSThirty cases of CSEBV(+)T-LPD were retrospectively studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER). The clinical information and follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTSNineteen of the 30 patients were males and 11 females. The median age of disease onset was 9 years (range = 1.5 to 32 years). The average duration between disease onset and diagnosis was 14 months. The major clinical manifestations were fever (96.7%), lymphadenopathy (83.3%) and hepatosplenomegaly (66.7%). Cutaneous manifestations were not uncommon, which included hypersensitivity to mosquito bite (13.3%) and skin rash (20.0%). Six of the 20 patients died on follow up. Histologically, the lymph nodes showed expansion of T zone, with diminished or effaced lymphoid follicles. The lymphoid cells were of small to medium size. Scattered large lymphoid cells were also identified in the expanded T zone. Furthermore, the liver and spleen showed mild to marked sinusoidal infiltration. In some cases, various degrees of sinus histiocytosis with erythrophagocytosis were present. Skin biopsies showed mild to marked degree of lymphocytes infiltration in dermis. Immunohistochemical study and in-situ hybridization showed that the EBER-positive cells were of T lineage and CD3 positive. They also expressed cytotoxic molecules granzyme B and TIA-1. Seven of the 8 cases examined were CD8 positive, while the remaining case was mainly CD4 positive. Thirteen of 15 cases were shown to be CD56 negative. The number of EBER-positive cells ranged from 5 to more than 500 per high-power field. These cells included small to large lymphoid cells located mostly in the expanded T zone and sometimes in the germinal centers. Nine of the 30 cases, which consisted mainly of medium to large-sized lymphoid cells, were also EBER positive.

CONCLUSIONSSystemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disease of childhood occurs most often in children and young adults, with a median age of 9 years. It has a subacute or chronic clinical course. Most of the patients have evidence of systemic disease, often with lymph node, liver, spleen and skin involvement. It carries a poor clinical outcome and can be life-threatening. The disease is characterized by a clonal proliferation of EBV-infected T cells with cytotoxic immunophenotype. Definitive diagnosis requires correlation between clinical, pathologic and ancillary investigation findings.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD8 Antigens ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Poly(A)-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; RNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; T-Cell Intracellular Antigen-1 ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of perioperative dexamethasone on nausea, vomiting and pain after unilateral total knee arthroplasty and to evaluate its safety. METHODS: From February 2014 to June 2016, 100 patients with unilateral advanced osteoarthritis treated by total knee arthroplasty were divided into two groups: 50 patients in dexamethasone group including 27 males and 23 females, aged (72.30±7.02) years, were given intravenous drip of dexamethasone 10 mg before operation; 50 patients in saline group, including 26 males and 24 females, aged (71.30±6.08) years, were given the same amount of saline at the corresponding time. The VAS scores of pain at rest and at 45 degrees of knee flexion were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after operation. Vomiting, antiemetic drugs and opioids were recorded at 0 to 24 h and 24 to 48 h after operation. The side effects and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All the 100 patients were followed up for an average of 14.5 months. VAS score of pain at rest in dexamethasone group was lower than that in saline group at 8, 24 and 48 h after operation (<0.05); VAS score of dexamethasone group at 45 degrees after knee flexion was lower than that of saline group at 8 and 48 h after operation(<0.05); VAS score of dexamethasone group at rest and 45 degrees after knee flexion was lower than that of saline group(<0.05). The dosage of opioids and total opioids in dexamethasone group was lower than that in saline group at 0 to 24 h, 24 to 48 h after operation (<0.05). The proportion of nausea and vomiting occurred at 0 to 24 h and 24 to 48 h after operation, and the proportion of antiemetic required at 0 to 24 h after operation had statistical significance between two groups(<0.05). The total antiemetic dosage of dexamethasone group was less than that of saline group(<0.05). As of the last follow-up, no complications such as infection, gastrointestinal ulcer and bleeding occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative systemic application of dexamethasone can effectively reduce pain and nausea and vomiting after TKA without increasing postoperative complications.
Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Dexamethasone ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVEStudying on the routes of vas deferens to provide anatomy basis for surgical operation, especially, reconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens.

METHODSThe routes of vas deferens were observed and anatomic distances along epididymal, infrainguinal, inguinal, retroperitoneal and ampullar segments of vas deferens, the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens were measured respectively in 18 formalin fixed adult cadavers.

RESULTSThe vas deferens have a large curve from external ring to extremity in its route, draw it out from the external ring. Eliminating this curve will allow to shorten this segment of vas deferens for vasovasostomy by 6.1 - 12.9 (9.31 +/- 1.30) cm. The length of each segment of vas deferens, respectively, is epididymal: 3.2 - 5.6 (4.53 +/- 0.79) cm, infrainguinal: 4.5 - 9.5 (7.31 +/- 1.78) cm, inguinal: 4.4 - 7.5 (5.52 +/- 0.74) cm, retroperitoneal: 12.5 - 19.5 (16.75 +/- 1.87) cm and ampullar: 2.9 - 3.8 (3.63 +/- 0.23) cm. There was no significant differences in segment length and the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens between the right and left.

CONCLUSIONReconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens can be performed by mobilization retroperitoneal vas deferens and draw it out from external ring. There were no significant differences in lengths of vas deferens and the distances from external ring to vassal extremity between the left and right in adults. The surgical operations of vas deferens are closely related each segment of vasa.

Adult ; Autopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Vas Deferens ; anatomy & histology