OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on the cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic (CRES) protein in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats.

METHODSThe ELV model of Sprague-Dawley (SD) male adolescent rats was established, and the expression of CRES protein in the testis and epididymis was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western-blot at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry and Western-blot detected CRES protein in both the testis and the epididymis of the ELV rats and the control rats. Immunohistochemistry showed that within the testis, CRES protein was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of round spermatids and elongating spermatids, sperm acrosomes and residual bodies. The expression was most intensive at Stages I-III and IX-XIV, and then decreased gradually at Stages VII-VII and IV-VI. Within the epididymis, CRES protein was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of the principal cells of epididymal epithelia. Western-blot detected CRES protein in Mr 19,000 and 14,000, stronger in the former than in the latter. Image and statistical analyses showed that the expression of CRES protein in the 2-week and 4-week ELV groups was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCRES protein expressed in both the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats and the expression is stage-specific and cell-specific in the testis and segment-specific and cell-specific in the epididymis. The expression of CRES protein in the ELV rats is much stronger than in their corresponding controls. It is suggested that CRES protein may be significantly involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, and possibly associated with varicocele-related male infertility or subfertility.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cystatins ; biosynthesis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of endometrial microvessel density (MVD) in assessing the endometrial receptivity during the peri-implantation period.

METHODSA total of 104 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into clinical pregnancy group (50 cases) and nonpregnant group (54 cases) according to the IVF-ET outcome. Endometrial tissues were collected 7 days after the natural ovulation prior to IVF-ET for measurement of the endometrial MVD using electron microscopy, which was analyzed in relation to the clinical outcome of the treatment.

RESULTSThe endometrial MVD was significantly higher in the clinical pregnancy group than in the nonpregnant group [(4.12∓1.84)% vs (3.46∓1.26)%, t=-2.127, P=0.036). ROC curve analysis showed that the MVD had an area under the curve slightly over 0.5 (0.598) for predicting clinical pregnancy, suggesting a poor specificity in predicting the clinical outcome of the treatment.

CONCLUSIONIn IVF-ET cycles, the endometrial MVD during the peri-implantation period is helpful for assessing the endometrial receptivity, but the specificity remains low.

Adult ; Embryo Implantation ; physiology ; Embryo Transfer ; Endometrium ; blood supply ; physiology ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Microvessels ; ultrastructure ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical typing and prophylactico-therapeutic measures for acute posttraumatic brain swelling (BS).

METHODSA retrospective study was performed in 66 cases of acute posttraumatic BS. There were 3 groups based on computered tomography (CT) scanning: 23 cases of hemisphere brain swelling (HBS) with middle line shift for less than 5 mm within 24 hours (Group A), 20 with middle line shift for more than 5 mm (Group B), and 23 with bilateral diffuse brain swelling (Group C).

RESULTS(1) The mortality rates of the operative and nonoperative management in Group A, Group B, and Group C were 20.0%, 31.6%, and 75.0% versus 44.4%, 0, and 85.7%, respectively (P>0.05); while the rates in subgroups with different middle line shift (more than 5 mm and less or equal 5 mm) were 29.2% and 75.0% versus 75.0% and 44.4%, respectively (0.05>P>0.01). (2) The good recovery rate and mortality in Group A were 47.8% and 39.1%, respectively and in Group C, 8.7% and 78.3%, respectively. There was a very significant difference between Group A and Group C (P<0.01). (3) The total survival rate of the selective comprehensive therapy was 53.1%.

CONCLUSIONS(1) Acute posttraumatic BS needs to be diagnosed correctly and promptly with CT scanning within 4 hours. (2) For patients with midline shift for more than 5 mm, especially with thin-layered subdural hematoma, surgical intervention is essential to reduce the fatality of acute posttraumatic BS.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain Edema ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the effect of Zheng's 4C suspension transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery(TU-LSSS)in the treatment of cervical cancer,and analyze its prognosis.Methods A total of 92 patients with cervical cancer admitted to our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group(traditional laparoscopic surgery)and the observation group(Zheng's 4C suspension TU-LSSS),with 46 cases in each group.The perioperative related indicators of patients between the two groups were compared.The patients were followed up for 3 years,the progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were recorded,and the influencing factors of prognosis were analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,patients in the observation group had longer surgical time(P<0.05),less intraoperative bleeding(P<0.05),shorter recovery time for postoperative bowel sounds and hospital stay(P<0.05),higher postoperative 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate(P<0.05).During 3-year follow-up,there were 11 cases of disease progression or death.The univariate analysis results showed that there were statistically significant differences in tumor diameter,clinical stage,lymph node metastasis,vascular infiltration,and treatment methods of patients between the good prognosis group and the poor prognosis group(P<0.05).The binary Logistic regression results showed that tumor diameter(≥4 cm),clinical stage(≥stage ⅠB2),lymph node metastasis,and vascular infiltration were the risk factors for the prognosis of patietns with cervical cancer(P<0.05),while Zheng's 4C suspension TU-LSSS was the protective factors(P<0.05).Conclusion Zheng's 4C suspension TU-LSSS can effectively promote the recovery of patients with cervical cancer,and improve 3-year PFS rate and 3-year OS rate.The prognosis is related to many factors,and targeted treatment should be performed according to different risk factors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of mild hypothermia on severe traumatic brain injury.

METHODSEighty-six in-patients with severe traumatic brain injury treated ordinarily were consecutively randomized into two groups: a hypothermia group (n=43) and a normothermia group (the control group, n=43). In the hypothermia group, the core temperature (i.e., nasopharyngeal or brain temperature) of the patient was reduced to and maintained at 33-35 degrees C with a systemic cooling blanket. Natural rewarming began after 3-5 days (mean: 4.3 days) of hypothermia treatment. In the control group, the patient received no hypothermia treatment. The vital sign, extradural pressure and serum superoxide dismutase were observed and measured during treatment, and the complications as well as the Glasgow outcome scale were evaluated at 2 years after injury.

RESULTSThe mean extradural pressure in the hypothermia group (27.38 mm Hg +/- 4.88 mm Hg at 24 hours, 29.40 mm Hg +/- 4.50 mm Hg at 48 hours and 26.40 mm Hg +/- 4.13 mm Hg at 72 hours after injury) was much lower than that in the control group (32.63 mm Hg +/- 3.00 mm Hg, 34.80 mm Hg +/- 6.00 mm Hg and 31.81 mm Hg +/- 4.50 mm Hg respectively at 24, 48 and 72 hours, P<0.05). The mean serum superoxide dismutase levels in the hypothermia group on days 3 and 7 (583.7 microg/L +/- 99.6 microg/L and 699.4 microg/L +/- 217.3 microg/L, respectively) were much higher than those in the control group at the same time period (446.6 microg/L +/- 79.5 microg/L and 497.1 microg/L +/- 101.2 microg/L, respectively, P<0.01). The recovery rates at 2 years after injury were 65.1% in the hypothermia group and 37.2% in the control group (P<0.05). The mortality rates were 25.6% in the hypothermia group and 51.2% in the control group (P<0.05). The complications, including pulmonary infections, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 x 10(9)/L), hemorrhage in the digestive tract, electrolyte disorders and renal malfunction, were managed without severe sequelae.

CONCLUSIONSMild hypothermia is a safe and effective therapeutic method, which can lower the extradural pressure, increase the serum superoxide dismutase and improve the neurological outcomes without severe complications in the patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; therapy ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Intracranial Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Therapeutics

This study was aimed to investigate the sensitivity and clinical application value of interphase-dual-color and dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization (DD-FISH). The minimal residual disease (MRD) in 19 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was detected by DD-FISH, and the detected results were compared with those of conventional cytogenetics (CC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The samples were collected from bone marrow or peripheral blood or smears of bone marrow. The results indicated that 14 out of 19 patients achieved and maintained continuous complete molecular remission after transplantation. In these patients, CC assay displayed normal donor karyotype, result of RT-PCR was negative, complete donor chimerism was detected after 2 months of transplantation, result of DD-FISH was negative, average time of the follow-up survey was 11.25 months, MRD did not increase. Results of CC and RT-PCR in 1 patient showed negative, while FISH of sex chromosome showed mixed chimerism, result of DD-FISH was positive, MRD did not increase, no therapy was given for this patient, clinical state of patient was stable. Three patients with hematological relapse demonstrated obvious increase of MRD detected by DD-FISH and sex FISH, result of RT-PCR was found positive in them, but the abnormal result of CC was observed only in 1 patient. After donor lymphocyte infusion and imatinib mesylate treatment, these 3 patients achieved cytogenetic remission again, results of DD-FISH, CC and PCR were negative in them. DD-FISH, CC and PCR in bone marrow and peripheral blood from one patient with extramedullary relapse revealed negative results, and the complete chimerism was found in this patient. It is concluded that interphase-dual-color and dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization is a more reliably sensitive and practicable method for monitoring MRD in patients with CML after allo-HSCT, and can be used in detection of chromosome sample and blood or bone marrow smears. Dynamic detection of bcr/abl fusion gene level by FISH may predict disease changes and guide individual therapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical factors affecting the outcomes of repeated assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of the clinical data and outcomes was conducted among 160 patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI-ET treatment between January 2006 and April 2009.

RESULTSThe patients with successful clinical pregnancy after two ART cycles (group A) had a younger age and shorter duration of infertility, and had more antral follicles (AFC), more eggs and good-quality embryos with more transferred embryos available and higher good-quality embryo rate (P<0.05) than those who failed to have pregnancy after the cycles (group B). In the second cycle, the patients in group A had higher doses of short-acting GnRHa, r-HCG and HMG and at the same time more good eggs and embryos than in the first cycle.

CONCLUSIONSFemale age is one of the most important factors affecting the pregnancy rate after repeated ART cycles. The clinical pregnancy rate can be enhanced by administering short-acting GnRHa, HMG, oral contraceptives and adjusting the dose of Gn as well as changing the culture medium of embryos.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics and significance of thrombocytopenia after therapeutic hypothermia in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODSNinety-six inpatients with severe brain injury were randomized into three groups: SBC (selective brain cooling) group (n=24), MSH (mild systemic hypothermia) group (n=30), and control (normothermia) group (n=42). The platelet counts and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThrombocytopenia was present in 18 (75%), 23 (77%) and 15 (36%) patients in SBC group, MSH group and control group, respectively (P<0.01). Thrombocytopenia, in which the minimum platelet count was seen 3 days after hypothermia, showed no significant difference between SBC and MSH group (P>0.05). Most platelet counts (37 cases, 90%) in hypothermia group were returned to normal level after 1 to 2 days of natural rewarming. The platelet count in SBC group reduced by 16%, 27% and 29% at day 1, 3 and 5 respectively compared with the baseline value. Good recovery (GOS score 4-5) rate of thrombocytopenia 1 year after injury for hypothermia group (17 cases, 37%) was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTherapeutic hypothermia increases the incidence of thrombocytopenia in severe TBI, and patients with thrombocytopenia after therapeutic hypothermia are associated with unfavorable neurological prognosis.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Thrombocytopenia ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo identify a novel isoform of hTCP11 gene and investigate its expression and alternative splicing.

METHODSAccording to the sequence of human ESTs which are highly homologous to hTCP11a, primers for PCR were synthesized. Then, the amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced; some methods including BLAST, ClustalW and RT-PCR were used for genomic analysis, study of alternative splicing and gene expression among multiple tissues and different testis tissues.

RESULTSA novel isoform of hTCP11 gene was isolated. It encodes a 440 amino acid protein that is highly homologous to the mouse 566 amino acid protein which is important to sperm function because it encodes the receptor for fertilization promoting peptide (FPP). Among TCP11a, TCP11b and TCP11c, the complicated alternative splicing was found. RT-PCR analysis of RNA extracted from human tissues revealed that the gene is only expressed in fertile adult testes, but not in azoospermic patient testes, fetal testes or other human tissues.

CONCLUSIONOur results along with the mouse Tcp-11 function suggest that the isoforms of TCP11 gene play important roles in sperm function and fertility.

Adult ; Alternative Splicing ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; Mice ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Protein Isoforms ; Sequence Homology ; t-Complex Genome Region

OBJECTIVETo clone UreB gene of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolated from children to pGEX-4T-1 expression plasmid, and do sequence analysis.

METHODSA pair of specific primer was designed according to H. pylori UreB gene in the GenBank. Using H. pylori strains isolated from children as a template, a UreB gene was obtained by PCR. After EcoR I and Not I digestion, the PCR production was linked with pGEX-4T-1 which was digested with the same enzymes. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21 and identified by double enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. The sequence results were compared with the gene sequence in the GenBank.

RESULTSA UreB gene was successfully amplified from children's H. pylori strain GZCH1. It was 1710 bp in size. The objective band was identified by double enzyme digestion. DNA sequence showed that UreB was in the correct open reading frame. The sequence comparison analysis showed that DNA and amino acid sequence identities of UreB gene with other strains were 98%. The sequence of UreB of H. pylori strain GZCH1 was submitted to GenBank (accession number:FJ455126).

CONCLUSIONSUreB of H. pylori strain GZCH1 is successfully cloned to pGEX-4T-1, which provides a basis for research of oral H. pylori vaccine.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacterial Vaccines ; immunology ; Child ; Cloning, Molecular ; Helicobacter pylori ; enzymology ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Urease ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology