Objective: To explore the effects and related mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus clomifene citrate capsules for infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 70 patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The control group was treated with clomifene citrate capsules, while the observation group was treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion on the basis of the medications in the control group. The treatment course lasted for 6 menstrual cycles. The endometrial thickness and ovarian volume of the patients were measured before and after treatment. The levels of serum sex hormones, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were detected. Follow-up was performed for 1 year after treatment, and the pregnancy rate was recorded. Results: After treatment, the endometrium of the patients in both groups was significantly thickened, the ovarian volume was significantly reduced, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The endometrium thickness and ovarian volume in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum testostrn (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in both groups decreased significantly, the level of estradiol (E2) increased obviously, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of serum T and LH in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the E2 level in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α and NF-κB of the patients in both groups decreased, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of serum TNF-α and NF-κB in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). After 1-year follow-up, the pregnancy rate was 20.0％ in the control group, versus 51.5％ in the observation group. The pregnancy rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus clomifene citrate capsules can increase the endometrium thickness, reduce the ovarian volume, improve the status of serum sex hormone disorders, and increase the conception rate in patients with infertility due to PCOS, which may be related to the adjustment of the levels of immune inflammatory factors such as serum TNF-α and NF-κB.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most frequent pattern of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with poor prognosis and high mortality.Studies in recent years found that non-coding small RNA molecules (miRNA) were closely related to the clinical course of DCM.The present article made a review on the expression pattern of miRNA and development of DCM study.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of staurosporine (ST) on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODSProstate cancer PC-3 cells were treated in vitro with ST at 10(-8) mol/L. The expressions of cyclin A and cyclin D1 proteins in the cells were detected by Western blot, the effect of ST on the proliferation of the cells determined by MTT assay and plate colony formation, the apoptosis of the cells examined by flow cytometry, and their morphological changes observed under the light microscope.

RESULTSST treatment markedly decreased the expressions of cyclin A and cyclin D1 in the PC-3 cells, and significantly inhibited the growth of the PC-3 cells (19.35%) at 48 h. (F = 31.06, P < 0.01). The colony formation rate of the PC-3 cells was (37.10 +/- 3.43) % in the ST group, significantly lower than (64.80 +/- 4.34) % in the control (chi2 = 14.59, P < 0.05) and (62.80 +/- 4.36) % in the DMSO group (chi2 = 12.50, P < 0.05), while the apoptosis rate of the cells was remarkably higher in the ST group ([19.6 +/- 2.20] %) than in the control ([5.33 +/- 1.40] %) and the DMSO group ([5.50 +/- 0.96] %) (F = 104.36, P < 0.01). Under the light microscope, the ST-treated cells were round with indistinct margins as compared with those of the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONST could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of PC-3 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Staurosporine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the indications of arthroscope for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and investigate the correlation between knee osteoarthritis imaging and effects of arthroscope.

METHODSFrom 2005.8 to 2008.4, 86 patients with knee osteoarthritis underwent arthroscope examination and treatment. Among the patients, 44 patients were male, and 42 patients were female, ranging in age from 46 to 67 years, averaged 56.3 years. Arthrodial cartilage of knee was graded by ICRS MR, and by Kellgern Laqrence X-ray. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 30 months. The Lysholm score was evaluated at the follow-up time.

RESULTSAmong 86 knees in 86 cases, cartilage injury degree of knees was graded as follows: grade 4 in 30 cases, grade 3 in 22 cases, grade 2 in 20 cases, grade 1 in 12 cases, grade 0 in 2 cases, mean grade (2.77 +/- 1.138). Postoperative Lysholm score ranged from 59 to 100, averaged (95.17 +/- 7.556), Kendall's correlation coefficient was -0.089, P = 0.317. There was no correlations between cartilage injury degree and Lysholm score. X-ray of knees was graded as follows: grade 4 in 0 cases, grade 3 in 24 cases, grade 2 in 38 cases, grade 1 in 17 cases, grade 0 in 7 cases, mean grade was (2.13 +/- 0.67), the Kendall's correlation coefficient was -0.851 with negative correlations (P = 0.036) between postoperative Lysholm score and K/L grade.

CONCLUSIONThere is no correlation between the grade of knee cartilage injury confirmed by MRI (1.5T) and effects of arthroscopy, and the grade is not a gold standard as an operation indication in arthroscope procedure. The K/L grade in X-ray had important effects.

Aged ; Arthroscopes ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of Varglaucocalyx on c-fos gene expression during global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

METHODForty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: group N as control; group CN as ischemia-reperfusion control and group XH, XM and XL treated with Varglaucocalyx 5%, 1%, 0.5% respectively prior to ischemia-reperfusion. The isolated rat hearts were perfused in condition of constant temperature and pressure, and then the left ventricular myocardiums were extracted for use. The expression of c-fos protein was detected by immunochemical method. The expression of c-fos protein were quantified by using computer image analysis system.

RESULTCompared with the values of group N, protein expressions relative area of c-fos gene (PERA) were increased significantly in group CN, XH, XM, XL(P < 0.01), but decreased significantly in group XH, XM, XL, compared with those of group CN (P < 0.05). The PERA of c-fos gene in group XM, XL were significantly lower than in group XH (P < 0.01), and the PERA of c-fos gene in group XM were lower than in group XL(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVarglaucocalyx can effectively depress the expression of c-fos gene in myocardium which may account for its protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the middle and the low concentrations of Varglaucocalyx are more effective than the high concentrations.

Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genes, fos ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of the aging gene P16(ink4a) and anti-aging gene HST2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSTwenty-three BPH and eighteen normal prostate specimens were collected and total RNA was extracted, followed by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expressions of P16(ink4a) was detected by semi-quantitative analysis in BPH and normal prostate tissues.

RESULTSP16(ink4a) mRNA, rather than HST2, was expressed in the BPH and normal prostate tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that the P16(ink4a) mRNA expression in the normal prostate tissues (0.4868 +/- 0.545 was significantly higher than in the BPH tissues (0.2783 +/- 0.0268, with a statistical difference in between (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONP16(ink4a) might play an important role in the pathogenesis of BPH and is probably one of the factors of cell aging escape.

Adult ; Aged ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 6 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

In order to establish K562 line with stable expressions of hermap and hermap-siRNA, amplified hermap and hermap-siRNA were cloned into pEGFP-c1 and pRNAT to acquire hermap-pEGFP-c1 and hermap-siRNA-pRNAT, respectively. These two plasmids were electrotransferred into K562 cells, then were followed by culturing with G418. The result showed that the transfer rate of hermap-pEGFP-c1-K562 and hermap-siRNA-pRNAT-K562 plasmids were 10.0% and 9.3%, respectively. After selective culture by G418, these two cell lines were still able to express GFP. It is concluded that the eukaryotic expression plasmids containing hermap and hermap-siRNA have been successfully constructed, and the cell lines of hermap-K562 and hermap-siRNA-K562 are established, definitely contributing to further functional investigation on HERMAP and its interaction with other proteins.
Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo compare the biomechanical performances of different wires and cable fixation devices in posterior instrumentation for atlantoaxial instability, and test the effect of different fixation strengths and fixation approaches on the surgical outcomes.

METHODSSix specimens of the atlantoaxial complex (C0-C3) were used to establish models of the normal complex, unstable complex (type II odontoid fracture) and fixed complex. On the wd-5 mechanical testing machine, the parameters including the strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, change and strength of stress, and stability were measured for the normal complex, atlantoaxial instability complex, the new type titanium cable fixation system, Atlas titanium cable, Songer titanium cable, and stainless wire.

RESULTSThe strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, change and strength of stress, stability of flexion, extension and lateral bending of the unstable atlantoaxial complex fixed by the new double locking titanium cable fixation system were superior to those of the Songer or Atlas titanium cable (P<0.05) and medical stainless wire (P<0.05). Simultaneous cable fastening on both sides resulted in better fixation effect than successive cable fastening (P<0.05). Better fixation effect was achieved by fastening the specimen following a rest (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe fixation effects can be enhanced by increased fastening strengths. The new type double locking titanium cable fixation system has better biomechanical performance than the conventional Songer and Atlas titanium cables. Fastening the unstable specimens after a rest following simultaneous fastening of the specimen on both sides produces better fixation effect.

Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Wires ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices

BACKGROUNDThe subtemporal transtentoral approach has been reported for nearly two decades; however it was not well used due to some limitations in dealing with large and giant petroclival meningiomas. The clinical outcome and merit of the modified subtemporal transpetrosal apex approach in large and giant petroclival meningiomas, as well as the choices, the improvements and the therapy strategies of the microsurgical approach in such patients were evaluated in this study.

METHODSTotally 25 cases of large and giant petroclival meningiomas undergone the modified subtemporal transpetrosal apex approach between April 2004 and January 2010 were enrolled in this study. The choice and improvement of the approach, the basis of anatomy and related research, the effect of accessory equipment, the exposure of tumor and the changes of neurofunction pre- and post-operation were all reviewed retrospectively. The operation outcomes and complications in this approach were also compared with those in the transpetrous presigmoid approach done in 14 cases in the same period.

RESULTSAll 25 cases underwent the modified subtemporal transpetrosal apex approach under electrophysiologic monitoring of cranial nerves and brain stem function. Trochlear nerve was partly wrapped in 14 cases, totally wrapped but can be explored in the initial segment of the cerebellum tentorium in 8 cases, totally wrapped and could not be seen until tumor was partly removed in 3 cases. The cerebellum tentorium was cut along the temporal bone from the anterior part of the apex to the mastoid part of superior petrous sinus in 6 cases, from the posterior part of the apex to the mastoid part of superior petrous sinus in 19 cases. Gross tumor resection was accomplished in 17 (68%) patients, subtotal resection in 7 (28%) patients, and partial resection in 1 (4%) patient. The most common postoperative complication was new neurological deficits or aggravations of preexisting deficit (64%). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 69 months. Compared with the transpetrous presigmoid approach done in 14 cases in the same period, the modified subtemporal transpetrosal apex approach showed obvious advantages such as simplicity in manipulating, microinvasiveness, less time-consuming, less complication, higher rate of tumor resection though the rates of gross tumor resection might be of no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSModified subtemporal transpetrosal apex approach has obvious advantages compared with the transpetrous presigmoid approach. Some complications need to be solved by practice and modification of the approach as well as the accumulation of the experiences.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningioma ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the polymorphism of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL144 gene of the low passage clinical isolates in Guangzhou and explore the role of UL144 gene in HCMV pathogenicity. Methods The clinical isolates of HCMV were obtained from the urine sample collected from those infants with intra-uterus HCMV infection in Guangzhou. The virus genome DNA was extracted. According to the genome sequence of Toledo, primers for UL144 gene were designed and used to amplify the complete open reading frames (ORF) of the UL144 gene in our 3 different clinical isolates. These ORFs of the UL144 gene were cloned into pMD18-T vector and their sequences were confirmed by sequencing. Bioinformatics methods were used subsequently to analyze the polymorphisms of these genes in different stains. Results Three HCMV low passage clinical isolates were successfully isolated, named D2, D3 and D52. As shown by PCR, all of these three strains contained UL144 ORF region. Three complete ORFs were amplified in total and their sequences were submitted to GenBank (Accession No.: DQ180368, DQ180382 and DQ180355). In D2, D3 and D52 isolates, their UL144 ORFs consisted of 531 nucleotides. DNA sequences were quite conservative,all variability were base substitution, and the amino acid sequences were high conservative, the rate of amino acid variability was 1.1%. There were no additional or deleted sites of posttranslational modification of UL144 protein in all clinical isolates. There were some differences in the secondary structure among different isolates. The isoelectric point of UL144 protein of all clinical isolates was 8.97. Conclusions All DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of UL144 gene share great similarity among Guangzhou HCMV clinical strains regardless of their polymorphism. It implies that maybe UL144 gene plays an important role in congenital infection.