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

In this study, the effect of heparin-derived oligosaccharide (HDO) on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and the related signal transduction mechanisms were investigated. MTT assays were used to measure VSMCs proliferation. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The level of key regulatory proteins in PKC, MAPK and Akt/PI3K pathways were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemical methods. Meanwhile, mRNA expressions of some proto-oncogenes were assayed by RT-PCR method. Our data showed that HDO (0.01, 0.1 and 1 μmol · L(-1)) inhibited 30 ng · mL(-1) PDGF-induced VSMCs proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, blocked the G1/S transition and inhibited the level of key regulatory proteins and some proto-oncogenes (P < 0.05). The results showed that HDO may decrease the key regulatory proteins expression, hence suppress the transcription of proto-oncogene and G1/S transition, finally inhibiting VSMCs proliferation.
Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oligosaccharides ; pharmacology ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction

Humans ; Infant ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male

Objective To investigate the preventative effect of perioperative intervention to lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after gynecologic surgery. Methods The 1062 patients, who received gynecologic surgery during 2007 June to 2008 June, were derided into intervention and nonintervention groups randomizely. According to the risk factors of DVT, the patients in intervention group were divided into 4 subgroups: low, mid, high and extremely high rise Each group had its own preventive measures. If patients had spontaneous pain, tenderness and swelling, positivity of Neuhof or Homan syndrome, and extension of one low extremity superficial vein, the low extremity color Doppler ultrasound would be carried out immediately. The ultrasound would also be routinely carried out in the high and extremely high risk groups in intervention group after 2 and 7 days after surgery. A prospective study was carried out investigating incidence of DVT and coagulation function perioperation. The vein blood samples were taken at in a week before surgery and 48 hours post-operation. Results The incidence of DVT of intervention group was 1.10% (6/546), and in nonintervention group, the incidence was 3.29% (17/ 516). There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The incidence of DVT in extremely high risk subgroup was 21.05% (4/19), which was significantly higher than that of low(0), mid(0) and high risk groups[2.13% (2/94), P<0.05]. D-dimer, antithrombin-Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ) post-operation were all higher than that pre-operation in the two groups, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The indexes of coagulation system, such as blood platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), active partial throraboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fbg), thrombin time (TT), tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI), were not significantly changed perioperation (P>0.05 in all pre-or post-operation indexes). Conclusions Perioperative intervention measurement according to different risk of DVT could cut down the incidence of DVT. DVT preventive intervention is suggested to high and extremely high risk people.

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.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of EEG and CT in early youth with cerebral cys- ticercosis.Methods The EEG and CT manifestations were studied in 240 early youth with cerebral cysticercosis. Results The abnormal rate of EEG was 86.7 % in children with cysticercosis,which mainly showed the diffuse or focal irregularity complex slow waves in frontal lobe,central lobe and anterior lobe.The abnormal rate of CT was 70.8 % in all patients,and flaky and circular focus were chief manifestations.There was a significant difference be- tween the rates of EEG and CT(P

0.05).?2-MG mass concentration was significantly increased in the cerebrospinal fluid(P

Objective To investigate the effects of maternal long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon on the serum paraoxonase (PON) activity of pregnant mice and development of embryos. Methods Female ICR mice (n=120) were randomly divided into control group and trichlorfon groups of different doses,and were managed by intragastric injection with trichlorfon of 0,2,10 and 50mg/kg,respectively. All the mice were managed once a day for a consecutive of 27 days,and were subjected to mating. The pregnant mice were continued to be managed with trichlorfon for 3 days,and were sacrificed on day 3 of gestation. The serum PON and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities were detected,and the development of embryos was evaluated. Results The serum PON activity of 2,10 and 50mg/kg trichlorfon group were (14.15?1.22),(12.78?1.80) and (10.45?1.95)IU/mL,respectively,and that of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group was significantly lower than that of control group [(13.37?2.31)IU/mL] (P0.05),while the the percentage of abnormal embryos of 50mg/kg trichlorfon group had an increased tendency. Conclusion Long-term exposure to low-dose trichlorfon can inhibit serum PON and AchE activity in pregnant mice without obvious effect on the development of embryos.

OBJECTIVETo study the ECG features in children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and related factors for the occurrence of arrhythmia secondary to DCM.

METHODSData from 68 children with DCM from January 1998 to March 2011 were studied. The children were classified into three groups: severe arrhythmia (n=42), non-severe arrhythmia (n=20) and non-arrhythmia (n=6). Left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were compared.

RESULTSAbnormal ECG results were found in all of the 68 children with DCM. Sinus tachycardia (91%) and ectopic pulsatile (86%) were common. LVED in the severe arrhythmia group (74±6 mm) was greater than that in the non-severe arrhythmia group (65±4 mm; P<0.05) and non-arrhythmia group (61±3 mm; P<0.05). LVED in the non-severe arrhythmia group was also greater than that in the non-arrhythmia group (P<0.05). LVEF and LVFS in the severe arrhythmia group were (30±11)% and (22±4)%, respectively, which were lower than those in the non-severe arrhythmia group［(37±12)% and (28±5)%, respectively］and non-arrhythmia group［(45±9)% and (34±7)%, respectively］(P<0.05). There were also significant differences in the LVEF and LVFS between the non-severe arrhythmia and non-arrhythmia groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe common abnormal ECG findings are sinus tachycardia and ectopic pulsatile in children with DCM. Arrhythmia is one of the main clinical manifestations of DCM. The occurrence of arrhythmia is associated with the left ventricular size and heart function.

Adolescent ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; complications ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of variance in the coping strategies of patients with brain tumors that could be accounted for by resilience. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 95 patients who had experienced surgical, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy therapies for their brain tumors at least 1 month before data collection. The investigator collected data using the scales of the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised and Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, analysis of variance, Pearson product–moment correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The results revealed that resilience was significantly positively associated with patients' problem-focused coping (r = .65, p < .001) and total coping (r = .49, p < .001). In addition, resilience accounted for 27% (R2inc = .27, p < .001) and 16% ((R2inc = .16, p < .001) of the distinct variances in predicting patients’ problem-focused coping and total coping. Conclusion The current results provide evidence to support the importance of resilience in shaping the coping strategies of relevant patients. As resilience shows a crucial element in patient coping with brain tumors, health team members should develop and employ appropriate strategies to improve the resilience of patients with brain tumors.