OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) irradiation on structure and function of Leydig cells in mice.

METHODSOne hundred and fourteen male Kunming mice were randomly divided into irradiated and control group, the former radiated generally by 8 x 10(3) V/m, 2 x 10(4) V/m and 6 x 10(4) V/m EMP respectively five times within two minutes. Pathological changes of Leydig cells were observed by light and electron microscope. Serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) were measured dynamically by radioimmunoassay at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after irradiation.

RESULTSMain pathological changes were edema and vacuolation, swelling of cytoplasmic mitochondria, reduce of lipid droplets, pale staining of most of lipid droplets, and partial or complete cavitation of lipid droplets in Leydig cells within 28 days after EMP radiation. Compared with normal controls, serum T decreased in all in different degrees within 28 days, and dropped significantly at 6 h-14 d, 6 h-7 d and 1 d-28 d after 8 x 10(3) V/m, 2 x 10(4) V/m and 6 x 10(4) V/m EMP irradiation(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). EMP irradiation caused no significant changes in serum LH and E2.

CONCLUSIONSLeydig cells are among those that are the most susceptible to EMP irradiation. EMP irradiation may cause significant injury in structure and function of Leydig cells in mice, whose earlier and continuous effect is bound to affect sexual function and sperm production.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Phenomena ; Estradiol ; blood ; Hormones ; blood ; Leydig Cells ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Random Allocation ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of AduoLa Fuzhenglin(ADL) on the heart injury induced by microwave exposure in rats.

METHODSOne hundred forty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups: control, microwave radiation, 0.75 g x kg(-1) d(-1) ADL, 1.50 g x kg(-1) d(-1) ADL and 3.00 g x kg(-1) d(-1) ADL pretreatment groups. Rats in three ADL pretreatment groups were administrated by ADL per day for 2w then exposed to 30 mW/cm2 microwaves for 15 min. The left ventricle blood of rats was obtained at 7 d and 14 d after exposure to microwaves, and the blood Ca2+, AST and CK were detected with Coulter automatic biochemical analyzer, then the histological changes and ultrastructure of heart were observed under light and electron microscopes.

RESULTSAt 7 d and 14 d after exposure to microwaves, the blood Ca2+, AST and CK concentrations significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01) as compared with controls; Heart muscle fibers showed wavilness, endotheliocyte karyopyknosis, anachromasis; The mitochondria swelling and cavitation, intercalary dies blurred in radiation groups. The changes in 0.75 g x kg(-1) d(-1) ADL pretreatment group were similar to the radiation group, but in 1.50 g x kg(-1)d(-1) and 3.00 g x kg(-1) d(-1) ADL pretreatment groups, above indexes of rats significantly reduced as compared with microwaves group (P<0.05); also the blood Ca2+, AST, CK contents were significantly lower than those in microwave group (P<0.05); The heart showed a tendency to improve.

CONCLUSIONMicrowave radiation (30 mW/cm2) can cause the blood Ca2+, AST and CK turbulence, and heart injury in the histology and ultrastructure; ADL at the dosages of 1.50 g x kg(-1) d(-1) and 3.00 g x kg(-1) d(-1) has a protective effects on the heart injury induced by microwave in rats.

Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Calcium ; blood ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Mitochondria, Heart ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of detecting cyclin D1 mRNA in paraffin-embedded tissues by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and competitive RT-PCR and its diagnostic and differential diagnostic significance for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

METHODSParaffin-embedded samples of 36 cases of MCL, 71 cases of other small B-cell lymphomas and 20 cases of lymphoid reactive hyperplasia as control group were retrieved from archival materials. Cyclin D1 protein and its mRNA was detected by EnVision and RT-PCR and competitive RT-PCR in all samples. House-keeping gene PGK was choosen as internal control.

RESULTS(1) Cyclin D1 protein was expressed in 27 of the 38 MCL (71.1%). No cyclin D1 expression was found in the control group. (2) PGK was detected in 103 of the 116 cases (88.8%) and also detected in 34 of 36 MCL cases (94.7%). (3) cyclin D1 mRNA was detected in 34 nodal mantle cell lymphoma cases by RT-PCR in paraffin-embedded tissues. The positive rate of cyclin D1 mRNA was 94.4% in mantle cell lymphomas after exclusion of the 2 cases which were negative for both cyclin D1 mRNA and PGK. cyclin D1 mRNA was not detected in other nodal small B-cell lymphomas or lymphoid reactive hyperplasia, except 1 case of B-SLL. Sequencing analysis showed that sequences were identical to cyclin D1. (4) Cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression was detected in 27 cases of nodal mantle cell lymphoma by competitive RT-PCR in paraffin-embedded tissues. The positive rate of cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression was 75.0% in mantle cell lymphomas after exclusion of 2 cases which were negative for both cyclin D1 mRNA and PGK. cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression was not detected in other nodal small B-cell lymphomas or lymphoid reactive hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONRT-PCR and competitive RT-PCR detection of cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression could be used for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma in paraffin-embedded blocks.

Cyclin D1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of anticoagulation protein defect in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

METHODSFifty-seven patients with a history of unexplained abortion were enrolled as the investigation group for tests of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III (AT-III), as well as activated protein C resistance (APC-R). The control group consisted of fifty healthy women with a history of normal pregnancy and delivery. Blood samples were obtained for, measuring serum activity of protein C, protein S, AT-III, and APC-R. Patients with positive APC-R were tested for factor V (FV) Leiden gene mutation by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSOf the 57 patients, 12 (21.1%), 1 (1.8%), and 5 (8.8%) cases were found with protein S, protein C, and AT-III deficiency respectively, and 13 (22.8%) cases with positive results of APC-R. Of the control group, no protein C or AT-III deficiency was ever found, whereas 2 (4.0%) volunteers were presented with protein S deficiency and 3 (6.0%) with positive results of APC-R. No FV Leiden gene mutation was identified in all the patients with positive APC-R results. Late spontaneous abortion cases had higher incidence of anticoagulation protein defect than the early cases.

CONCLUSIONAnticoagulation protein defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal loss, especially for those occurring in late stage of pregnancy.

Abortion, Habitual ; blood ; etiology ; Activated Protein C Resistance ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Adult ; Antithrombin III ; metabolism ; Antithrombin III Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Factor V ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Point Mutation ; Protein C ; metabolism ; Protein C Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Protein S ; metabolism ; Protein S Deficiency ; blood ; complications

OBJECTIVETo develop a protocol for gene rearrangement study in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by PCR-directed gel-scan method and to set up quantitative criteria for IgH gene rearrangement which can be applied in the follow up of lymphoma patients.

METHODSIgH gene rearrangement studies were carried out in 96 cases of B-cell NHL. The detection rate of clonality was evaluated. Sixty-five cases of IgH gene rearranged cases proven by FR3A-directed PCR and PAGE and 8 cases of benign lymphoid tissues (5 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, 3 cases of chronic tonsillitis), 5 cases of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by gel-scan method and the proportion of h1/h2 (heights of peak1 and peak2 of gel-scan) was calculated.

RESULTSThe detection rate of IgH gene clonality was up to 68% using primer FR3A in the 96 B-cell NHL cases. The detection rate was up to 61% using primer FR2A. With a combination of primers FR3A and FR2A, the detection rate increased to 83%. Gel-scan curve showed that the value of h1/h2 was greater than 3 in all the 65 cases with IgH gene rearranged. In the 8 benign lymphoid tissue cases showed h1/h2 < 1.5, 5 cases with normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a bell-shaped curve.

CONCLUSIONSIn the gel-scan curve of gene rearrangement studies in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma samples, the value of h1/h2 greater than 3 represents a true clonal proliferation. The peaks with relative heights less than 1.5 may not be significant and likely represent polyclonal cell population. A value between 1.5 and 3 however requires clinical follow-up. The success rate of rearrangement studies in B-cell NHL can be increased by using a combination of primers FR3A and FR2A.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA Primers ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; Genes, Immunoglobulin ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJCTIVE: To study the clinical effect of surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in children with central primitive neuroectodermal tumor (cPNET), as well as the risks factors for poor prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 42 children who were diagnosed with cPNET from June 2012 to September 2018. RESULTS: The 42 children had a median overall survival (OS) time of 2.0 years and a median event-free survival (EFS) time of 1.3 years; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 76.2%±6.6%, 41.4%±8.7%, 37.3%±8.8% respectively, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year EFS rates were 64.3%±7.4%, 32.7%±8.0%, 28.0%±8.1% respectively. The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the OS and EFS rates among the children with different patterns of surgical resection, chemotherapy cycles, and risk grades (P<0.05), and there was also a significant difference in the OS rate between the children receiving radiotherapy and those not receiving radiotherapy (P<0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that chemotherapy cycles and risk grade were independent influencing factors for EFS and OS rates (P<0.05). The EFS and OS rates increased with the increase in chemotherapy cycles and the reduction in risk grade. CONCLUSIONS Multimodality therapy with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is an effective method for the treatment of cPNET in children. Early diagnosis and treatment and adherence to chemotherapy for as long as possible may improve EFS and OS rates.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) in diagnosing peripheral nerve compression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The upper limb nerves were evaluated by HFUS in 80 RA patients (RA group) and 60 non-RA patients (control group),then the incidence of peripheral nerve compression was recorded respectively. RA patients with/without neurological symptoms were compared in terms of age,disease course,Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score,and clinical disease activity index (CDAI). Results The incidence of upper limb nerve compression in RA group was significantly higher than that in control group(15.0% vs. 3.3%,P=0.046).The patients with nerve compression was older [(60.2±11.4)y vs.(49.2±7.9)y;t=2.343,P=0.039] and had longer disease course [(9.50±5.99) y vs. (5.88±3.87)y;t=2.639,P=0.023] and higher HAQ-DI score (1.58±0.75 vs.0.85±0.67;t=2.490,P=0.030). These two groups had no statistical differences in CDAI (14.50±11.68 vs.16.62±9.24;t=1.141,P=0.278).Conclusions Peripheral neuropathies are common extra-articular manifestations in RA patients. HFUS can be valuable in patients suspected of RA.
Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

Angioplasty, Balloon ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in the treatment of children with optic pathway glioma (OPG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 30 children with OPG who underwent chemotherapy. According to whether bevacizumab was used, they were divided into conventional chemotherapy (carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 12 children and combined chemotherapy (bevacizumab, carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 18 children. The children were followed up to 6 months after chemotherapy, and the two groups were compared in terms of visual acuity and tumor size before and after chemotherapy and adverse reactions during chemotherapy. RESULTS: The combined chemotherapy group had a significantly higher proportion of children achieving tumor regression than the conventional chemotherapy group (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of children with improved visual acuity or adverse reactions (P>0.05). No chemotherapy-related death was observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Bevacizumab combined with conventional chemotherapy can effectively reduce tumor size. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, such combination does not increase adverse reactions and can thus become a new direction for the treatment of OPG in children.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bevacizumab ; Carboplatin ; Child ; Humans ; Optic Nerve Glioma ; Retrospective Studies ; Vincristine

Objective To study the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution and pathogenic factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods One hundred patients of AS and their family members who had medical consultation in the Fifth Hospital of Xi'an(i.e.,Shaanxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine)in August 2019 and September 2020 were selected as the study subjects.The guidelines of Classification and Determination of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution issued by the China Association of Chinese Medicine were adopted to determine the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution types of the study subjects.The sociodemographic information,living habits,clinical symptoms,and TCM constitution types of the AS patients and their family members were collected by means of questionnaires and clinical investigations,and then the pathogenic factors of the patients with AS were investigated.The binomial Logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation between TCM constitution types and pathogenic factors in patients with AS.Results(1)Among the 100 AS patients,the majority of them had the biased constitutions,and the biased constitutions with the occurrence frequency in descending order were yang deficiency constitution,qi deficiency constitution,and damp-heat constitution,which accounted for 33.00%,14.00%,and 18.00%,respectively.(2)The prevalence rates of AS in the first-,second-,and third-degree relatives of AS patients were 56.25%,40.00%and 25.00%,respectively.For the positive rates of human leukocyte antigen B27(HLA-B27)in AS patients and their family members,HLA-B27 in AS patients was all positive,while the positive rates of HLA-B27 in the first-,second-,and third-degree relatives of AS patients were 44.31%,30.67%and 15.63%,respectively.(3)The results of regression analysis showed that the disease duration of AS patients was significantly correlated with qi deficiency constitution,the grading of sacroiliac arthritis was correlated with qi stagnation constitution,and age was correlated with blood stasis constitution(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The results indicated that disease duration and age were the important factors affecting the constitution types of AS patients,and disease duration was closely related to qi deficiency while age was closely related to blood stasis.Conclusion AS is a highly hereditary autoimmune disease,and its onset is associated with HLA-B27.Yang deficiency is the basic constitution type of AS,and damp-heat constitution is the main constitution type in the progression of AS(especially in the active stage of the disease).The prolongation of the disease will exacerbate the illness condition of AS and then the manifestations of qi deficiency will be more obvious.