AIM:To observe the effects of infrasound on sperm quality and explore some underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were exposed to infrasound of 8 Hz at 90 dB or 130 dB for 1,7,14 or 21 d(2 h/d), whose epididymises were obtained for sperm count, abnormity and activity ratio inspection and whose testes for GSH-Px and MDA inspection. RESULTS: With prolonged exposure, sperm quality and GSH-Px in 90 dB and 130 dB groups decreased, while MDA increased, and at the same time point, the indexes of 130 dB groups changed more profoundly than those in 90 dB groups. CONCLUSION: Biological effect of infrasound on testes depends on the exposure parameters. The mechanisms of which could be unbalanced antioxidant system induced by infrasonic exposure.

Focusing on the poor mechanical strength of porous bioceramics bone scaffold, and taking into account of the good mechanical properties of biodegradable magnesium alloy, we proposed a novel method to fabricate magnesium alloy/bioceramics composite bone scaffold with stereolithography double channels. Firstly, a scaffold structure without mutually connected double channels was designed. Then, an optimized bioceramics scaffold was fabricated according to stereolithography and gel-casing. Molten AZ31 magnesium alloy was perfused into the secondary channel of scaffold by low-pressure casting, and magnesium alloy/bioceramics composite bone scaffold was obtained when magnesium alloy was solidified. The compression test showed that the strength of bioceramics scaffold with only one channel and without magnesium alloy was (9.76 ± 0.64) MPa, while the strength of magnesium alloy/bioceramics composite scaffold with double channels was (17.25 ± 0.88) MPa. It can be concluded that the magnesium alloy/bioceramics composite is obviously able to improve the scaffold strength.
Alloys ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone and Bones ; Ceramics ; Humans ; Magnesium ; Materials Testing ; Porosity ; Tissue Scaffolds

Cystectomy ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Granular Cell Tumor ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Urinary Bladder ; chemistry ; pathology ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vaginal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; surgery

Objective To discuss the operative techniques of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for the resection of pituitary adenoma in elderly patients.Methods From June 2003 to June 2012,a retrospective analysis of 42 elderly patients with pituitary adenoma was conducted.Computed tomography (CT) scan,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan,and endocrinological examinations were performed in all patients before operation.All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for the resection of pituitary adenoma.Results The tumors were totally removed in 25 cases (59.5％),sub-totally removed in 8 cases (19.1％) and partly removed in 9 cases (21.4％).1 patient died after operaion.Patients were followed up for 6-36 months.The visual acuity and visual field were improved.Hormone replacement therapy were needed in 20 patients due to hypopituitarism.Tumor residuals were found in 12 patients,among whom 5 patients were treated by γ-knife radiosurgery.Conclusions The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal operation is minimally invasive and safe for the treatment of pituitary adenoma in elderly patients.The strengthening of perioperative management is the key to the successful operation.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and mortality risk factors of severe sepsis patients admitted into intensive care unit (ICU).Methods The clinical data of 419 severe sepsis patients admitted to an adult ICU of Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2009 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed and evaluated.Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors for the death of patients with severe sepsis during ICU stay.Results Overall ICU mortality was 43.9％ (184/419),and the respiratory tract was the most common site of infection (50.8％),followed by infection of the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal cavity (27.8％),and hematogenous infection (4.3％).Gram-negative bacteria were the most common pathogens [46.0％ (214/465)].Iatrogenic infections accounted for 53.7％ (225/419) of the enrolled patients.Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR)=0.003,95％ confidence interval (95％CI) 1.015-1.056,P=0.O00],vasoactive drug application (OR=3.251,95％CI 1.562-6.768,P=0.002),failure of 3 or more organs (OR=2.452,95％ CI 1.015-5.924,P=0.046),and iatrogenic infection (OR =1.775,95％ CI 0.981-3.221,P=0.046) were independent risk factors for ICU mortality.Conclusions Severe sepsis is a common cause of ICU admission.Patients with risk factors for high mortality should be carefully monitored,and aggressive treatment should be administered.

Humans ; Papillomavirus Infections ; therapy ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; therapy

Objective To observe the effects of infrasound on rat myocardial cells and to study its underlying mechanism. Methods One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group and a infrasound exposure group, composed of various subgroups subject to exposure to infrasound for 2 hours daily for 1 d,7 d,14 d,21 d,and 28 d, respectively. The ultra-microstructure and apoptosis of the rat myocardial cells were observed, and SOD and MDA were measured. Results After exposure to infrasound, significant ultra-microstructural impairment and increased apoptosis of the myocardial cells were observed in the infrasound exposure group as compared to those of the normal control group,(P

AIM: To investigate the effect of flavone on oxidation-induced injury in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells. METHODS: In in vivo studies, NaIO3-induced RPE degeneration in rat eyes were treated with 5g/L flavone eye drops 3 times a day for 1 week before and 4 weeks after NaIO3injection. At the end of 2 and 4 weeks, all rats were measured c-wave by electroretinogram(ERG). In in vitro studies,ARPE-19 cells were treated with hypoxia, H2O2, NaN3and t-BHP to induce cell damages. MTT assay was used to measure the viable cells. RESULTS: The ERG c-wave results showed that flavone reversed NaIO3-induced injury at the end of 4 weeks. In vitro results showed flavone reversed the various oxidants-induced injuries in RPE cells.CONCLUSION: Flavone could prevent the RPE from oxidation-induced injury both in vivo and in vitro.

AIM:To investigate the effect of flavone on ocular blood flow in rabbit eyes and the formation of choroidal neovascularization(CNV)in rat model of age-related macular degeneration(AMD).METHODS:In in vivo studies,colored microsphere technique was used to determine the ocular blood flow in ocular hypertensive rabbit eyes.The rat eyes were treated with 5g/L flavone eye drops 3 times a day for 1 week before and 4 weeks after laser-induced injury of Bruch's membrane.The development of CNV was determined by fluorescein angiography(FA)performed on weeks 2 and 4.In in vitro studies,the effect of flavone on the viability of HUVECs was measured by MTT assay.RESULTS:The ocular blood flow in rabbit eyes was significantly increased after flavone instillation.Flavone significantly inhibited the formation of laser induced CNV.In vitro resultsshowedthat fiavoneinhibited the proliferation of HUVECs.CONCLUSION:Flavone could increase ocular blood flow and inhibit the formation of CNV.

Objective To evaluate the effect of extended local resection for the treatment of periampullary carcinoma of Vater. Methods The extrahepaticobiliary tract, confluence of pancreatic and biliary duct, Vater ampulla and duodenal papilla was resected en bloc in 8 cases suffering from periampullar carcinoma from 1995 to 1998. Results One patient died perioperatively. Duodenal obstruction developed postoperatively in one patient was relieved by reoperation. All 7 cases were followed up for more than 6 months without recurrence.Conclusions This extended local resection fulfils the purpose of radical therapy for the treatment of periampullar maliganancy.