OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the apoptosis of testicular germ cells in hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 42 four-week-old male Wistar rats into a normal control group (n = 12) and a high-fat group (n = 30) to be fed on a normal diet and a high-fat diet, respectively, for 10 weeks. Then we measured the concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the serum using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, detected the apoptosis of testicular germ cells by TUNEL staining, and determined the protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 and. caspase-12 in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSThe concentrations of TG and TC were significantly increased in the animals of the high-fat group ([3.00 ± 0.92] and [3.04 ± 0.39] mmol/L) as compared with the control rats ([1.43 ± 0.41] and [1.55 ± 0.23] mmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was the apoptosis index of the testicular germ cells ([37.17 ± 2.74]% vs [5.16 ± 0.81]%, P < 0.01). The high-fat group, in comparison with the control, also showed remarkably upregulated protein and mRNA expressions of GRP78 (0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.86 ± 0.05 vs 0.19 ± 0.01 and 0.37 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) and caspase-12 (0.34 ± 0.02 and 0.87 ± 0.01 vs 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.34 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptosis of testicular germ cells is increased in hyperlipidemic rats, which may be attributed to endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Staining and Labeling ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transcriptional Activation ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Up-Regulation

Objective To observe the imaging features of partiallythreaded screw fixation using in various kinds of C2 pedicel fracture.Methods CT image materials of 160 Chinese Han patients who suffered from atlantoaxial injury without vertebral body and pedicle fracture of C2 was included in this study,including 120 males and 40 females.Pedical trajectory selected according to Ebraheim method in threedimensional CT reconstruction was analyzed in ADW 4.4 workstation.The posterior wall fracture of C2 vertebral body,isthmus fracture and fractures under C2 laminar were simulated according to clinical observation.The trajectory length (partiallythreaded screw length) from entry point to anterior cortical bone of C2,bolt shank length from entry point to fracture line and fillet of screw length from fracture line to anterior cortical bone of C2 were measured.Relations between height,gender and partiallythreaded screw length bolt shank and fillet of screw length was evaluated.Results Male height was 167±7.9 cm on average,and female was 156±6.6 cm.The length of partiallythreaded screw was 29 mm in male and 25 mm in female on average.Height and gender was positively correlated with partiallythreaded screw length.In posterior wall fracture of C2 vertebral body,length of bolt shank was an average of 17 mm in male and 15mm in female,while fillet of screw length was 12 mm in male and 10 mm in female.The mean length of bolt shank was 14mm in male and 13 mm in female,while mean fillet of screw length was 15 mm in male and 12 mm in female in isthmus fracture.In fractures under C2 laminar,length of bolt shank was 10 mm in male and 9 mm in female on average,while mean fillet of screw length was 18 mm in male and 15mm in female.Conclusion The length of partiallythreaded screw used in posterior axial pedicle fracture may have a close correlation to length and height.The length of bolt shank and fillet of screw was different according to the position of the fracture.

Objective To observe the effect of fast acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery. Methods In this randomised placebo-controlled single-blind clinical trial, patients received abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery were assigned to a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received fast acupuncture and the control group received superficial conciliative acupuncture. The acupuncture was taken at both sides of Zusanli (ST36) for 1 minute respectively during 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m..We began from the first postoperative day and stopped when the patients got initial postoperative flatus or stool, or at the end of the fifth postoperative day. Results 37 controlled patients were assigned to the treatment group (18 patients) and the control group (19 patients) randomly. There were no differences on general information between the two groups. The treatment group had stronger feeling than the control group on the comparison of the acupuncture sensation level (5.7 ± 3.0 vs. 2.7 ± 2.2;t=-3.471, P=0.001). For the treatment group, the initial postoperative flatus or stool time is 19 hours earlier than the control group (65.9 ± 18.1 h vs. 85.0 ± 24.5 h; t=2.682, P=0.011). And the treatment group patients’ postoperative abdominal distension is lesser than the control group (P=0.006). Conclusion Fast acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal non-gastrointestinal surgery, and can also lighten the patients’ postoperative abdominal distension.

OBJECTIVETo acquire the optimal intervention methods of acupuncture on primary depressive disorder (PDD) through high quality clinical evidences of acupuncture for PDD and analytic hierarchy process.

METHODSDatabases of domestic and international medical literatures were retrieved with computer. And high-quality clinical evidences on treatment of PDD with acupuncture were collected. Jadad scale evaluation was adopted to estimate the quality of evidences. RevMan 5.1 software was applied for Meta analysis and statistical appraisal on effect size. Analytic hierarchy process was utilized on acquired clinical evidences to construct the model and matrix to screen the optimal interevention method.

RESULTSFourteen researches were included. And the result of Meta analysis showed that no statistical differences could be found on clinical control rate, marked effectiveness rate, effective rate and the overall clinical effective rate between acupuncture and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs). The combination of acupuncture and SSRIs could improve the clinical control rate and the overall clinical effective rate. And a 6-week intervention of electro-acupuncture combined with SSRIs was considered as the best intervention for the best overall effect.

CONCLUSIONBased on the present clinical evidences, a 6-week intervention of acupuncture combined with SSRIs is the best intervention on mild or moderate PDD, which can obviously enhance the clinical control rate and the overall clinical effective rate.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Depressive Disorder ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate occupational health status of female workers in pharmaceutical industries and to propose the protective measures for the occupational health.

METHODA total of 2816 female workers from 19 pharmaceutical industries in Shandong and Gansu provinces were investigated by a questionnaire.

RESULTS73.1% of female workers exposed to occupational hazards, mainly to toxic chemicals. 63.2% of them suffered from dysmenorrhea; 38.5% of them have reproductive system diseases, i.e. mammary gland hyperplasia (44.1%), cervical erosion (26.5%), uterine annex inflammation (24.2%); 17.1% of them suffered from accidental work injuries; 34.7% of them complained about low back pain, and 29.7% of them perceived hearing loss. 94.9% of female workers hoped to get the occupational health and labor protection knowledge and skills.

CONCLUSIONStrengthening the supervision of labor protection for female workers, including technical measures occupational hazards control and health-related knowledge, and improving the occupational health status of female workers should be conducted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Drug Industry ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develog an HPLC method determination of two new saponins in the dried rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis.

METHODThe analysis was performed on YMC-Pack ODS-AQ (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with of acetonitrile and waterin gradient mode. The conentration of acetonitrile in the mobile phase changes from 10% to 100% within 85 minutes. The detection wavelength was set at 203 nm. The flow rate was 1.00 mL x min(-1) and column temperature was set at 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe linear relationships of two authentic saponins were determined within the range from 7.55 microg to 60.40 microg (r=0.9996) and 8.00 microg to 48.00 microg (r=0.9996), respectively. Using the method above, the contents of two saponins were determined as 0.261% and 0.242%, with the recoveries as 98.6% and 98.3% with RSD 1.7% and 1.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONA convenient and reliable method was developed to determine the content of two saponins in the dried rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Saponins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo discuss the failure reasons of operation for spinal tuberculosis complicated with paraplegia and methods of the second operation.

METHODSSpinal tuberculosis paraplegic patients (18 males, 14 females) were reviewed retrospectively. They have been treated with failing decompressive surgery from January 2001 to December 2006. Seventeen patients received anterior debridement surgery via transpleural approach while the other 15 patients received posterolateral decompression surgery via costotransverse approach. Twenty-two patients got chemotherapy after the surgery.

RESULTSTwenty-three patients were treated by anterior debridement, decompression and graft placement via transpleural approach (9 received the single-stage posterior instrumentation). Five patients received posterolateral debridement and decompression via extrapleural approach. Two patients, recur focus be eliminated. Two patients were given sinus debridement surgery alone. All patients were given anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. The paraplegia was recovered completely in 26 patients, and partly in 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONSInadequate treatment results in defeated operative. The proper selection of operative modalities and timing on the basis of systematically anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy remains the best mode of therapy for spinal tuberculosis complicated with paraplegia. And it is also essential to choose a radical debridement surgery to decompress the spinal cord and to reconstruct the stability of spine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraplegia ; complications ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo establish an accurate and simple qualitative analytical method in vivo in the study on HPLC characteristic fingerprint of active components of dachuanxiong fang in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, in order to lay a foundation for studies on components found in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid and provide basis for compatible regularity of initiators.

METHODHPLC characteristic fingerprint of active components of dachuanxiong fang in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid was established.

RESULTThe similarity of fingerprints of all of six batches of samples was above 0.85, RSD of their relative retention times in common peaks was less than 2. 0%.

CONCLUSIONThe fingerprints of active components of dachuanxiong fang in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were stable and accurate that they can be used in qualitative analysis on in vivo components.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Quality Control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on urge urinary incontinence after stroke. Methods:From May, 2015 to May, 2018, 40 patients with urge urinary incontinence after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and electroacupuncture group (n = 20). Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation, while the electroacupuncture group accepted electroacupuncture at Zhongji (CV3) and Guanyuan (CV4) in addition, for four weeks. They recorded the urination log (72 hours), and were assessed with Incontinence Scale, and tested with urodynamics before and after treatment. Results:There were 17 cases in the control group and 18 in the electroacupuncture group finishing the trial. The total number of urination, the number of urge incontinence and the number of calls for urination carer at night decreased, the average volume of urine increased, and the score of Incontinence Scale decreased (|t| > 4.770, P < 0.001) in both groups, which were better in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (|t| > 2.962, P < 0.01). The maximum cystometric bladder capacity and bladder compliance increased in both groups, while the maximum bladder pressure and maximum detrusor pressure decreased after treatment (|t| > 4.052, P < 0.001), which were better in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (|t| > 2.716, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Zhongji and Guanyuan is effective on urge urinary incontinence, which relates with reducing detrusor and bladder pressure, increasing bladder volume, and improving bladder compliance.

OBJECTIVEThis clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combined regimen of docetaxel, 5-Fu and DDP (TPF) in the treatment of advanced or relapsed nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSFifty-six patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent/metastatic NPC following chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. Both docetaxel and DDP were administered intravenously for 6 hours at the dose of 70 mg/m2 on D1. 5-Fu was given at a dose of 400-500 mg/m2 for 6 hours from D1 to D5. Dexamethasone was routinely administered before injection of docetaxel. This combination was repeated every 3 to 4 weeks, and continued for 4-6 cycles or until PD for the responders.

RESULTSFifty-one (91.1%) patients were evaluable for response assessment. The response rate for whole group was 72.5% (37/51) with a CR rate of 9.8% (5/51). The stable disease accounted for 17.6% (9/51). There were 17(30.4%) chemotherapy-naïve patients. The overall response rate in those was 82.4% with a CR rate of 29.4%. However, the response rate for previously treated patients was 64.7% without CR. Twelve patients had progressed disease, including 5 (8.9%) died of disease progression with a median follow-up of 11 month (ranged from 1 to 19 months). Totally, 196 courses of chemotherapy were administered. The major toxicity was myelosupression, nausea/vomiting. The incidence of leucopenia was 48% with 22.2% of these in NCI grade II or IV. But only 2 patients (3.6%) experienced leucopenia with a fever. Other mild toxicities including alopecia, asthenia, mucositis and diarrhea were also observed.

CONCLUSIONOur preliminary outcome shows docetaxel, 5-Fu and DDP combination is effective and safe for the patients with advanced or relapsed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. But further clinical study is warranted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Remission Induction ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult