Due to the low effectiveness of traditional assisted reproductive technology (ART), new technological possibilities are constantly explored. Lots of studies have demonstrated the potential of microfluidics to revolutionize the fundamental processes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). With the advantages of high efficiency, short time, harmless collection, real-time observation of separation, similar microenvironment, and automation, the application of microfluidics in sperm isolation and IVF has shown an evident superiority over the conventional approaches and provided a new platform for ART. This review highlights the application of various microfluidic techniques in sperm motility assessment and isolation, sperm chemotaxis assay, IVF, sperm concentration, and sperm separation and enrichment in recent years. It also briefly introduces the basic principles, structural design, and operation processes of the microfluidic platform, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the potential of their clinical application. Obviously, there are still some challenges to the application of microfluidics in ART. However, it is believed that the development of this new technology would be toward a highly integrated application of several steps in one single device, known as IVF-lab-on-a-chip.
Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Microfluidics ; methods ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

The modern literatures on the diseases treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) were collected. Using literature statistical analysis in bibliometrics, the common compatibility of Shenmen (HT 7) and the disease spectrum were analyzed so as to provide the references of the diseases that can be treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7). It was found that 39 kinds of diseases and symptoms, mainly nerve system disedses, could be treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7), including insomnia, depression, anxiety and dementia. Shenmen (HT 7) was seldom used alone. Instead, it was commonly used along with Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Taicong (LR 3).
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Bibliometrics ; Humans

Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the in-situ needle fenestration combined with the in vitro physician modified fenestration technique to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic arch lesions requiring landing at Z0 and Z1.Methods:From Nov 2017 to Dec 2019, eighteen patients who underwent both the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration techniques to extend the proximal landing zone to Z0 and Z1 during TEVAR were included in our study.Results:Sixteen patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration ,two patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct both the left common carotid artery and the innominate artery. All eighteen patients received in-situ needle fenestration to preserve the left subclavian artery. Supra aortic branches were preserved in all patients (38/38, 100%). There was no Type Ⅰ endoleak. Type Ⅱ endoleak was found in four paitnets (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak occurred in one patient (1/18). Type Ⅳ endoleak in four patients (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak needed open aortic arch repair 6 months later. The median follow-up time was 12 months. One (1/18) died in 12 months and the other patients were doing well.Conclusions:The joint application of the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during TEVAR for aortic arch pathologies requiring landing at Z0 and Z1 was satisfactory.

BACKGROUND:Autologous bone graft is the best method to repair bone defects after tumor curettage, but its shortcomings are as folows: increased surgical trauma, sequelae at bone graft site such as infection and pain, and a limited amount of autologous bone. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effectiveness of xenograft and calcium sulphate artificial bone in treating bone defects after benign bone tumor removed. METHODS:Totaly 26 cases of benign bone tumor were selected, including 8 cases of giant celltumor, 5 of enchondroma, 4 of fibrous histiocytoma, 3 of bone fibrous dysplasia, 2 of non-ossifying fibroma, 2 cases of bone cysts, 1 of aneurysmal bone cyst and 1 of aneurysmal bone cyst and 1 case of chondroblastoma. Of the 26 cases, 12 cases underwent calcium sulphate pelets alone to fil bone defects after benign bone tumor removed, 6 cases were subjected to xenograft alone, and 8 cases were treated with calcium sulphate pelets combined with xenograft. The X-rays were taken at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after the operation in al patients to assess the bone healing process. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the patients were folowed up for 36-72 months. The absorption of calcium sulphate appeared to be absorbed earlier, the earlier absorption appearance could be observed as earlier as 1 month after the implantation, and most calcium sulphate was absolved and replaced by new bone at 3 months after the operation. The xenograft bone was degraded at 3 months post implantation and new bone formed. Osseo integration of the graft was observed at the periphery of the implant at 6 months post implantation. One year post implantation, trabecular bone was observed at the site with uniform bone density. In the combined group, thecalcium sulphate pelets were absorbed earlier and new bone formed earlier than the calcium sulphate alone group, and the xenograft absorbed later than the calcium sulphate pelets. Generaly, bony union was detectable 1 year after operation. These findings indicate that xenograft and calcium sulphate in treating benign bone tumor have acquired good results, which can be used as a substitute of autologous bone.

Objective:To explore the outcome of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) on patients with soft tissue metastasis. Methods:We ana-lyzed 25 STS patients with soft tissue metastasis primarily localized on extremity and trunk. The study was conducted from June 2010 to June 2016 by retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients. The assessed endpoints were overall survival. Results:Six patients (24%) had synchronous soft tissue metastasis, and 19 patients (76%) had metachronous metasta-sis. The average time for primary tumor recession of metastatic lesions was 45.3 months. Metastases were most common in parts of the trunk in 18 patients (72%), followed by the head and neck in 5 patients (20%). Eleven patients (44%) with lung metastasis had poor prognosis. Conclusion:STS occurred more rarely in soft tissue metastasis than in pulmonary metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical treatment were the major therapies employed. Targeted therapy as a new treatment rendered good results.

Objective To explore the expression and distribution of transient receptor potential cation channel 6(TRPC6)in normal human,mice,rats' renal tissue and the mouse podocyte clone 5(MPC5)for further investigating the relationship between TRPC6 and the protei-nuria-related podocyte molecules.Methods 1.The distributions of TRPC6 in normal human,mice,rats' renal tissue and MPC5 were observed by using the immunochemistry staining.2.The mRNA expression of TRPC6 in mouse renal cortex and differentiated MPC5 was detected by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).3.The protein expression of TRPC6 in human,mice and differentiated MPC5 was detected by using Western blotting.Results 1.In human kidney,TRPC6 showed a weak staining in glomeruli and a strong staining in renal tubules and vessels.In mice and rats' kidney,TRPC6 showed a strong staining in glomeruli and was mainly distributed along the capillary loops of glomerulus and in mesangium.The positive staining of TRPC6 was observed in MPC5,which was distributed evenly on the cell membrane in differentiated podocytes.2.The specific PCR band of TRPC6 was detected in mouse renal cortex and differentiated MPC5.3.The specific protein band of TRPC6 was detected in normal human,mice renal cortex and differentiated MPC5 with the size of 106.Conclusions The expression of TRPC6 is verified in normal human,mice and rats' kidneys,and in differentiated MPC5.These results will benefit for further exploring the relationship between TRPC6 and the proteinuria-related podocyte molecules.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) marked by 99Tcm-IT-Ritux-imab and to discuss the clinical value of the method in diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Methods:A total of 67 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma received 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab-tagged SLNB from March 2008 to March 2012. Lymphoscintigra-phy was conducted 30 min to 1 h after intra-dermal injection of 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab. Subsequently, the surgery of SLNB was carried out using gamma probe. The detection and positive rates of SLNB were counted. The relationship between the status and the clinical features of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) was analyzed, such as the T stage, ulceration, age, gender, and location. The influence of SLN status on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated. Results:SLNs were detected in all the 67 patients by SPECT and gamma detector, with detection rate of 100%. Fifteen patients had SLN metastasis, and the positive rate was 22.4%. Chi-square indicates that SLN metastasis is associated with age, T stage, and ulceration (P<0.05). A total of 63 patients were followed up for 24-69 months, and the median follow up time was 43 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis shows that both OS and DFS in the SLN-negative group are better than those in the SLN-positive group (OS:93.9%vs. 57.1%, P<0.01;DFS:79.6%versus 28.6%, P<0.01). Cox-regression multiple factors analysis suggests that both SLN status and T stage are independent factors that affect the DFS of malignant melanoma. Conclusion:SLNB assisted by 99Tcm-IT-Rituximab can well reflect the state of lymph node metastasis and is es-sential for accurate staging, prognosis judging, and treatment guiding. Its operation procedure is simple with high accuracy, and the im-aging status is stable. Therefore, it is convenient and feasible as a means of SLNB.

To study the drug-drug interaction of morinidazole and warfarin and its application, a sensitive and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of R-warfarin/S-warfarin in human plasma. In a random, two-period crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of 5 mg racemic warfarin in the absence and presence of morinidazole. Blood samples were collected according to a pre-designed time schedule. R-warfarin, S-warfarin and methyclothiazide were extracted with ethylether : methylenechloride (3 : 2), then separated on a Astec Chirobiotic V (150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) column using 5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (pH 4.0) - acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.5 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase was splitted and 0.5 mL x min(-1) was introduced into MS. A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as detector and operated in the negative ion mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The resolution of warfarin enantiomers is 1.56. The linear calibration curves for R-warfarin and S-warfarin both were obtained in the concentration range of 5 - 1 000 ng x mL(-1). Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) for R-warfarin and S-warfarin over the entire concentration range across three validation runs was both less than 10%, and relative error (RE) ranged from -4.9% to 0.7%, separately. The method herein described is effective and convenient, and suitable for the study of metabolic interaction between morinidazole and warfarin. The results showed that coadministration of warfarin with morinidazole did not affect the pharmacokinetics of either R-warfarin or S-warfarin.
Anticoagulants ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Nitroimidazoles ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Stereoisomerism ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Warfarin ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

The herbs used as the material for traditional Chinese medicine are mostly planted at mountain areas where there is appropriate weather condition. Due to the complex terrain condition in mountain area, the planting at such places is always associated with a scattered pattern, which inevitably bring difficulty to the work of accurate measurement for the planting area. Advanced research about monitoring the planting area for medicine-herb under complex environmental condition is so critical and meaningful for developing the medicine-herb planting to a large scale and an industry. Therefore, this research, taking the planting of Herpetospermum pedunculosum in Luding county as an example, utilizes RS&GIS: using the image data from TM and ETM datum as the remote sensing information source, integrating GPS data from quadrat survey on the spots, and analyzing on a GIS platform, to extract the planting area of H. pedunculosum in Luding county. The results indicate that: (1) the method and technology used to estimate the planting area of H. pedunculosum are feasible and can be applied to monitoring the planting area of medicine-herb at mountain area under complex environmental conditions: (2) the planting area of H. pedunculosum in Luding county is estimated to be 857. 246 acres by the methods utilized in this research, which is closed to the value from local statistical data with an error range less than 5%; (3) in consideration of those inevitable errorrs generating from the procedures such as remote sensing data acquisition, data preprocessing, data interpretation, and so on, and the fact that the classification of remote sensing data, which must be implemented by those above procedures, was used directly to extract the herb type, the accuracy of area estimation for the herb is significantly influenced by the accuracy of classification for herb type, and the estimated area is inevitably associated with some error.
China ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Geographic Information Systems ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Remote Sensing Technology ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of scalp-acupuncture plus body-acupuncture on spastic cerebral palsy and its effects on bone density and blood trace elements Ca, Cu, Zn, and Fe in the children with spastic cerebral palsy.

METHODSEighty children of spastic cerebral palsy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. The observation group were treated with scalp-acupuncture plus body-acupuncture combined with body therapy and performance therapy, and the control group with simple body therapy and performance therapy, once each day, for 3 courses, 30 days constituting one course. Changes of bone density and the trace elements were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 87.5% in the observation group and 67.5% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05); after treatment, the bone density and blood Ca, Cu, Zn and Fe contents in the two groups significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) with the observation group being superior to the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe scalp-acupuncture plus body-acupuncture combined with body therapy and performance therapy can improve bone density and contents of trace elements in the children of spastic cerebral palsy, and has a definite therapeutic effect on spastic cerebral palsy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Bone Density ; Cerebral Palsy ; metabolism ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Scalp ; Trace Elements ; blood