Objective To discuss color Doppler uhrasonographic (CDU) grading of varicocele (VC) in predicting the changes of the fertility index (FI) after varicocelectomy.Methods One hundred and fifty-one patients with VC were diagnosed and graded by CDU.All patients were grouped by the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of pampiniform plexus veins(PPV).The relation between the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of PPV and the changes of the FI after varicocelectomy was analyzed.Results The pathological regurgitation could be detected when the PPV diameter > 1.5 mm.The positive correlation was observed between the regurgitant volume and the diameter of PPV (r = 0.89, P <0.01).The pre- and postoperative FIs were extremely significant difference in regurgitation grade Ⅱ and regurgitation grade Ⅲ (P < 0.01) but not significant difference in regurgitation grade Ⅰ (P>0.05).The pre- and postoperative FIs were no significant difference in the group with the PPV diameter ≤ 2.0 mm (P > 0.05), but statistically significant difference in the groups with the diameters 2.1-2.5 mm and 2.6-3.0 mm (0.01 < P <0.05).FIs in the group with the diameter > 3.0 mm exhibited extremely significant difference after varicocelectomy (P < 0.01).Conclusions CDU grading of VC could be used to predict the changes of seminal quality after varicocelectomy.Varicocelectomy isn't necessary to the patients with VC that the PPV diameter ≤ 2.0 mm or pathological regurgitation being detected only on Valsalva maneuver.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Neuron Disease ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo assess the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning in different ways after rabbit's testis completely torsion and detorsion and to assess the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) in it.MethodsForty male white rabbits were divided into 5 groups randomly:a control group,directly perfusion group (R),ischemic postconditioning groups (IP1,IP2 and IP3),with 8 in each.The acute testicular hemodynamic disorder models were established in R,IP1,IP2,IP3 groups by completely blocking the left testicular blood flow for 4 hours,then group R was directly subjected to perfusion,group IP1 was subjected to 15 s release and 15 s occlusion (15 s/15 s),IP2 was subjected to 30 s/ 30 s,IP3 was subjected to 45 s/45 s,each group was taken 3 cycles.All the groups underwent CEUS before operation and after 3 days,examined for the contents of malonaldehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and histology,and observed for the pathobgieal changes of the testicular tissue.ResultsThe CEUS parameters of bilateral testes showed no significantly difference in all group before operation( P ＞0.05),3 days after reperfusion.The half of declining time of intensity was extended significantly in all operation groups comparing with control group (P ＜ 0.05),but the difference of peak and base intensity were increased in group IP1 and IP2,comparing with control group( P ＜0.05).The contents of MDA and SOD were remarkable differences in group IP1,IP2 comparing with group R and IP3 ( P ＜ 0.05).Johnsen' s score,apoptosis index showed significantly differences in group IP1,IP2 comparing with group R and IP3 (P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsMicrocirculation of the complete torsion testicular was significantly improved by ischemic postconditioning after reperfusion,and the effects of ischemic postconditioning could be evaluated by CEUS.

Objective To investigate the value of predicting testicular viability following unilateral testicular torsion by color-Doppler ultrasound (CDU). Methods The clinical manifestations, intraoperative findings and scrotol CDU appearances before and after operation of 42 cases with testicular torsion were compared. According to a bleeding test intraoperatively, testicular viability was divided into A-D level. Testis of level A-C would be saved .while the level D removed. Testicular viability assessed by follow-up CDU was then classed into Ⅰ-Ⅲ level. In Ⅰ-Ⅱ level, the salvaged testis were recovery ultimatelybut atrophy in level Ⅲ. Results Seventeen cases of the 42 underwent orchidopexy and the remaining 25 cases underwent orchidectomy. As followed up, however, testis in only 7 cases were recovered, including 2 cases in level A,3 cases in level B and 2 cases in level C. respectively. The preoperative scrotal CDU appearances of the recovered testis were mainly as follows: ① Homogeneous parenchyma with decreased or disappeared blood perfusion. ②Sheet or radial hypoechoic in the local testis but with preserved blood perfusion in most area else. Testis in the remaining 10 patients, including 8 cases in level C and 2 cases in level D, respectively, were atrophy finally. And large radial hypoechoic or diffuse inhomogeneous echo with none or a small amount of blood supply on the edge parenchyma were found during their preoperative CDU (similar CDU performance was present in the orchidectomy group. The CDU appearances of contralateral testes both in orchidopexy and orchidectomy group were not obviously abnormal during follow-up. Conclusions The scrotal CDU examination is competent to predict testicular viability after detorsion. In addition, timely operation would be a key to CDU evaluation.

Objective To explore the way of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)and quantitative analysis technology to assess testicular microvascular ischemia-reperfusion inj ury.Methods Twenty-four healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into the control group and the microvascular mild,moderate, serve ischemic inj ury group (group Ⅰ,including group Ⅰ1 ,Ⅰ2 ,Ⅰ3 ).The spermatic cord of the control group were threaded but not ligated.The group Ⅰ1 ,Ⅰ2 ,Ⅰ3 were reperfused 2 h after 2 h,4 h,6 h complete testicular ischemia respectively.The ultrasound contrast angiographic parameters of each group were analyzed by the quantitative analysis techniques,including peak intensity(PI),time to peak(TP),slope,mean transmit time(MTT),DT/2 and area.The levels of plasma vWF,NO and ET-1 were tested after the CEUS. The pathological changes of the ipsilateral testicular were observed by the HE and immunohistochemical staining.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 13.0 software.Results Preoperativeiy,each parameter of the experimental group and the control group showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05 ). Postoperatively,the PI,slope,area of the group Ⅰ1 increased significantly,while the TP,MTT were prolonged(P <0.05).Contrast time-intensity curve was significantly higher peak and retrusion.The groupⅠ2's PI,slope,area increased further,DT/2 was significantly prolonged,but TP significantly reduced (P <0.05).The contrast curve significantly increased,forward and decreased slowly.The contrast curves of the group Ⅰ3 was approximate a straight line.The vWF,NO,ET-1 levels of each experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P <0.05),among them,the levels of group Ⅰ2 were the highest (P <0.05 ).With the aggravation of ischemia,the testicular capillaries expansion,erythrocyte sedimentation,leakage,infiltration of inflammatory cells,MMP-9 expression in vascular basement membrane gradually increased.Conclusions The CEUS and quantitative analysis techniques can effectively evaluate testicular microvascular inj ury.

Objective To detect high-frequency ultrasound and clinical features of acute scrotum in children. Methods High-frequency ultrasound and clinical manifestations of 112 children with acute scrotum were analyzed and compared with the final diagnosis and therapeutic regimen.Results Torsion of appendage with uneven echo nodular near the upper pole of testis or head of epididymis, accompanying secondary reactive inflammation or not were detected in 65 children. Complete testicular torsion was found in 21 children who had the whirlpool sign and absent flow in the affected testicle. There was incomplete torsion in 4 patients with winding courser sign and some flow with low resistant index. Flow increased in 22 children with acute epididymo-orchitis, except 1 with suppurative orchitis. The ultrasonic diagnose accordance rate was about 98.21% (110/112). The clinical manifestations of acute scrotum had some characteristics though partial overlapping exited. Fifteen children with torsion of appendage, 25 with complete torsion and 1 with acute orchitis received operation, and the other received expectant treatment.Conclusion The objective and precise emergency ultrasonic diagnosis combined with the overall and profound analysis of related clinical data may provide important information for the diagnosis and treatment of acute scrotum in children.

Objective To explore the sonographic features of intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor.Methods The sonographic features of 21 cases with intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Results Twenty-one cases with intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor could be typed into 3 ultrasonic patterns:(1) The homogeneous echo type:15 cases,their ultrasonic features were homogeneous echo,including 5 cases with low echo,8 case with equal echo,and 2 case with high echo;5 cases with testicular albuginea adenomatous tumors were also homogeneous echo,2 cases of equal echo,2 cases of low echo and 1 case of high echo that was posterior echo attenuation slightly.(2) The edge halo type:4 cases,they showed the epididymis or testis sheath round or oval nodules,of which the middle was low echo and the edge is high echo halo ring.(3) The mixed echo type:2 cases,they showed cystic mixed echo of epididymis nodules,1 case with irregular cystic areas and poor sound transmission,while the other one with good sound transmission cystic areas and a small papillae on the wall.Conclusions Sonography is a valuable method for diagnosis of intrascrotal adenomatoid tumor.The edge halo type has sonographic features.

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify the differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 responsing to the aqueous extract from dried powdered rhizomes of Typhonium giganteum (AEoTGE).

METHODThe response of hepatocellular carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 to AEoTGE was explored with the technique of mRNA differential display.

RESULTAfter hepatocarcinoma cells SMMC-7721 were treated by AEoTGE for 36 hours, 1 gene expression was upgrade and 1 gene expression was downgrade induced by AEoTGE.

CONCLUSIONThe research has provided important clues for the molecular mechanism of how hepatocarcinoma cells responseing to T. giganteum.

Araceae ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To study the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasonography in typing tuberculous epididymitis.Methods The appearances of color Doppler ultrasound and the findings on operation were analysed in 33 patients with tuberculous epididymitis.Results Of the 33 patients,epididymis appeared as diffusely and heterogeneously enlarged lesions with increased flow in 2 cases,appeared as nodular lesions in 13 cases including nodi with echofree space in 3 cases, nodi with high-level echo patches in 3 cases, and low echo-level nodi in 7 cases. Multiple lesions in scrotum were detected in 17 cases, of whom epididymis up to 11 cases appeared as diffusely enlarged heterogeneous lesions with flow increased.The sonographic appearancs of tuberculous epididymitis could be divided into 3 types:diffusion type, nodus type and complicated type. Nodus type included 3 subtypes: purulence type, calcification type, and cheese type.The accuracy rate of ultrsound diagnosis was 87.9%.Conclusions Testis is easy to be involved when epididymitis appears as diffusion type, so surgical treatments should be early.Purulence type and complicated type need surgical treatments while calcification type does not. Antituberculous drug treatments can be tried before surgical treatments in cheese type.Sonography of urinary system is helpful for the diagnosis of asymptomatic tuberculosis in urinary system when tuberculous epididymitis is first suspected on sonography.

Objective To observe changes of hepatic hemodynamics and hepatic functional reserve after splenectomy and periesophagogastric devascularization. Methods From July 2006 to August 2007, thirty patients with portal hypertension caused by hepatitis B cirrhosis underwent splenectomy and periesophagogastric devascuiarization. The PVPG (portal venous pressure gradient) was measured by inductor continually during operation. The HAF (hepatic artery flow), PVF (portal venours flow) and hepatic arterial RI(resistant index) were measured with Doppler sonography. The EHBF(effective hepatic blood flow) and ICGR15 (indocyaninegreen retention rate at 15 minutes) were obtained respectively by indocyaninegreen clearance test before and after the operation. Results PVPG after laparotomy (19±4) mm Hg, ligating the splenic artery(14±4) mm Hg, splenectomy(14±3)mm Hg and periesophagogastric devascularization (12±4) mm Hg showed a tendency to decrease progressively. The PVF decreased [from (42±14) ml/s to (16±8) ml/s] and HAF increased in compensation after operation. The EHBF increased [from (0.48±0.10) L/min to (0.56±0.10) L/min], and the ICGR15 decreased (from 23%±8% to 18%±4%) postoperatively. Conclusion After splenectomy and periesophagogastric devascularization, the hepatic functional reserve improves at least in a short term notwithstanding the decrease of PVPG and PVF.