OBJECTIVETo establish a RP-HPLC method for the determination of swertiamarin, sweroside, gentiopicrin and oleanolic acid in different parts of Swertia pseudochinesis.

METHODA Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column was used with acetonitrile-water (10:90) and methnol-water(86:14) at detection wavelengths of 238 nm, 246 nm, 274 nm and 207 nm for swertiamarin, sweroside, gentiopicrin and oleanolic acid respectively. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 25 degrees C.

RESULTAll of the compounds were based--isolated. The linear ranges of swertiamarin, sweroside, gentiopicrin and oleanolic acid were 0.068 9-0.344 4(r = 0.999 2) , 0.001 1-0.014 0 (r2 = 0. 999 8), 0.001 1-0.013 4 (r2 = 0.999 9) and 0.001 1-0.008 8 mg x mL(-1) (r2 = 0. 999 6), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and accurate, which can be used for quality control of S. pseudochinesis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Oleanolic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pyrones ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Swertia ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the academic level and influence of National Journal of Andrology through statistical analysis for the fund sponsored articles.

METHODSUtilizing the information from China Hospital Knowledge Database (CHKD), and adopting bibliometrics methods, we carried on statistical analysis for the fund sponsored articles published on National Journal of Andrology dated from Mar. 2000 to Jun. 2005.

RESULTSNine hundred and fourty-two articles were screened, of which 204 (21.7%) were fund sponsored, and the proportion of the articles supported by various funds, including the funds from national key projects, presented an increasing tendency every year. The authors were distributed among 30 provinces and 6 oversea countries with an average age 37.4 years old, of whom 37.7% got doctor's degree and 38.7% masters degree. The articles involved clinical research were at 28.9%, and basic study and applied study were at 71.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe articles supported by various funds in National Journal of Andrology have taken a high percentage, so the journal achieves a fine academic level and social influence.

Andrology ; statistics & numerical data ; Bibliometrics ; China ; Periodicals as Topic ; statistics & numerical data ; Research Support as Topic

The endothelium plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis, regulating vascular tone and blood flow, and preserving a non-thrombogenic blood-tissue interface, and the normal function of the vascular endothelium is essential for penile erection. In most cases, erectile dysfunction (ED) is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction, and endothelial injury is a major pathological basis of ED, which can be induced by bad lifestyles, cardiovascular diseases, reactive oxygen species, and inflammatory mediators. The vascular endothelium is capable of self-repairing, and endothelial injury results from the unbalanced factors of injury and repair. This review focuses on the mechanism and repair of endothelial injury and the relationship of endothelial injury with ED.
Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are considered to be important regulators in cancer biology. In this study, we focused on the effect of circRNA baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) repeat containing 6 (circBIRC6) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. METHODS: The NSCLC and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted for assessing the levels of circBIRC6, amyloid beta precursor protein binding protein 2 (APPBP2) messenger RNA (mRNA), baculoviral IAP repeat containing 6 mRNA (BIRC6), and microRNA-217 (miR-217). Western blot assay was adopted for measuring the protein levels of APPBP2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. Colony formation assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis were utilized for evaluating cell colony formation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Dualluciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were carried out to determine the interaction between miR-217 and circBIRC6 and APPBP2 in NSCLC tissues. The murine xenograft model assay was used to investigate the function of circBIRC6 in tumor formation in vivo. Differences were analyzed via Student's t test or one-way analysis of variance. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis was used to analyze linear correlation. RESULTS: CircBIRC6 was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circBIRC6 repressed the colony formation and metastasis and facilitated apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro and restrained tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanically, circBIRC6 functioned as miR-217 sponge to promote APPBP2 expression in NSCLC cells. MiR-217 inhibition rescued circBIRC6 knockdown-mediated effects on NSCLC cell colony formation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-217 inhibited the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells, while the effects were abrogated by elevating APPBP2. CONCLUSIONS CircBIRC6 aggravated NSCLC cell progression by elevating APPBP2 via sponging miR-217, which might provide a fresh perspective on NSCLC therapy.
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; China ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Circular/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor (LCCSCT) of the testis.

METHODSWe studied a case of LCCSCT by light microscopy, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed the clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features, treatment and prognosis of the tumor.

RESULTSThe patient was a 25 years old man. Pathohistologically, the tumor was characterized by a mass of polygonal tumor cells in a tubular and trabecular growth pattern, with abundant acidophilic cytoplasm, enlarged vesicular nuclei, and extensive calcified debris in stroma. The tumor cells were positive for inhibin, S-100, vimentin and alcian blue, but negative for PLAP, SMA, CK, AFP and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction.

CONCLUSIONLCCSCT is a rare testicular sex cord stromal tumor. Its diagnosis is based on immunohistochemical staining, and it is to be differentiated from other lesions of the testis, including seminoma, Leydig cell tumor, Sertoli cell node, and androgen insensitivity syndrome. For the treatment of LCCSCT, surgical resection often has a good prognosis.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Sertoli Cell Tumor ; pathology ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors ; pathology ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; Testis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic cardiac surgical procedures under extracorporeal circulation.

METHODSFrom May 2000 to May 2006, 674 patients received thoracoscopic cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. These procedures included atrial septal defect occlusion for 238 patients, ventricular septal defect occlusion for 380 patients and mitral valve replacement for 56 patients. Thirty degree thoracoscopes and femoral extracorporeal circulation were used. The aorta was cross-clamped and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold crystal or blood cardioplegia.

RESULTSThe operation succeed in 645 patients (96%, 645/674). Enlarging the incision was performed in 28 patients. Operation time was from 1.8 h to 5.6 h with the mean of (2.8 +/- 1.2) h. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was from 56 min to 198 min with the mean of (78 +/- 2.3) min. Aortic cross-clamp time was from 8 min to 96 min with the mean of (31 +/- 19) min. The volume of chest drainage was (140 +/- 46) ml. None but one postoperative death occurred, the mortality was 0.15%. Postoperative complications occurred in 48 cases (7%), including bleeding in 8 patients, leakage in 5 patients (reoperation in 2 patients) and hemo-pneumothorax in 33 patients. One patient died postoperatively from cerebral hemorrhage (0.15%, 1/647).

CONCLUSIONThoracoscopic cardiac surgical procedures for atrial septal defect occlusion, ventricular septal defect occlusion and mitral valve replacement is feasible and safe.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution and genetic pattern of heteroplasmy of mtDNA control region among Chinese Han population. METHODS: The human mtDNA control region was amplified into 6 amplicons overlapped partially each other. Then these amplicons were analyzed by DHPLC which we developed to detect low heteroplasmic signals. RESULTS: There were 51 heteroplasmic cases (34%) found from different tissues of 150 unrelated individuals of the Chinese Han population. mtDNA heteroplasmy shows non-uniform distribution in various tissues. The highest occurrence of heteroplasmy was in brain tissues (50/150) and myocardium (48/150), the lowest was in bone tissues (22/150). 36 sites of heteroplasmy were identified in our samples. Three sites of mtDNA heteroplasmy rarely co-existed in one individual. No sex differences were detected in the frequency of mtDNA heteroplasmy. No change in the mtDNA heteroplasmy profile was detected of blood samples from the same individuals within 2 years. Individuals older than 41 years showed a heteroplasmy frequency significantly higher than their younger counterparts. Members from the same maternal pedigree in a family can share the same sites of mtDNA heteroplasmy but may have different heteroplasmy contents at those sites. CONCLUSION DHPLC is a highly sensitive technique in detecting heteroplasmy. mtDNA heteroplasmy widely exists in the Chinese Han population. The results shown here could potentially have a guidable value in forensic individual identification and parentage testing.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian People/genetics* ; Base Sequence ; Blood Stains ; Child ; China/ethnology* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; DNA Mutational Analysis/methods* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Hair/chemistry* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this phase I/II study is to investigate the safety/toxicity profile of weekly administration of docetaxel in combination with cisplatin for the chemo-naive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to evaluate the efficacy of this regime.

METHODSIn phase I trial, 15 patients were included. IV infusion of escalating doses of docetaxel consisting of four levels from 25 to 40 mg/m2 (25, 30, 35, 40 mg/m2) on D1, 8, 15 and cisplatin of 75 mg/m2 on D1 was administered. The regime was repeated every 4 weeks. Blood samples were obtained on D1, 15 in the first cycle to measure the PK. Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was determined in cycle 1 and defined as any grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity which could not be reverted into grade less than grade 2 within 4 days or any grade 4 hematologic toxicity. Eighty-three patients completed their phase II study with administration of docetaxel at a dose of 35 mg/m2 based on the data of phase I trial.

RESULTSIn the phase I trial, grade 3/4 neutropenia was mainly observed in patients who received docetaxel of 40 mg/m2 (level 4) with one patient suffering from an infection signifying dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Non-hematological toxicities including nausea/vomiting, alopecia, fluid retension and asthenia were tolerable. Based on these data, the maximum tolerence dose (MTD) did not reach the level of weekly giving docetaxel at a dose of 40 mg/m2 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 every 4 weeks. The pharmacokinetic/dynamics results There was no statistically significant difference between clearance value among the 4 dose levels of docetaxel from 25 to 40 mg/m2 when measured by Cmax and AUC. The pharmacokinetics of docetaxel was not influenced by the presence of co-administration of cisplatin when compared D1 with D15 as based on CmaxN, AUCN and CL. In the phase II trial, totally 83 patients received 216 cycles of chemotherapy. One CR (complete response) and 22 PR (partial response) were achieved with an objective response rate of 27.7% in this series and 30.7% in the evaluable patients. The 1-year survival was 48.6% with a median survival of 10.7 months (range: 3-34 months). Hematologic toxicities were the major side effects, though most were mild; grade III/IV neutropenia developed in 15%. The common non-hematologic toxicities were nausea, vomiting and asthenia.

CONCLUSIONWeekly consecutive administration of docetaxel on D1, 8, 15 for 3 weeks plus cisplatin on D1 is tolerable and effective with minimal myelosuppression in chemo-naive patients with advanced NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Area Under Curve ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

BACKGROUNDCoronary artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) and late stent thrombosis remain as important complications of stenting. The inflammation reactions to sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents were investigated in a swine stenosis model induced by interleukin (IL)-1β.

METHODSMini pigs (n = 12; 2-3 months old and weighing 25-30 kg) were subjected to thoracotomy. Segments (10 mm) of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex coronary artery were exposed and aseptically wrapped with a cotton mesh soaked with IL-1β (5 µg). After 2 weeks, the animals were anesthetized and quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was performed. The stenosis sites were randomized into three groups for stent insertion: a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group (Firebird(TM), n = 7), a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) group (TAXUS(TM), n = 9), and a bare-metal stent (BMS) group (YINYITM, Dalian Yinyi Biomaterials Development Co., Ltd, China, n = 8). The three different stents were randomly implanted into stenosis segments. Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was determined by reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSQCA showed severe stenosis in IL-1β treated segments. The SES and PES groups showed lower 1-month angiographic late lumen loss (LLL) within the stent and the lesion compared with BMS (P < 0.05) by follow-up QCA. The SES showed lower LLL than that of PES in reducing 1-month inflammation lesions in pigs by follow-up QCA ((0.15 ± 0.06) mm vs. (0.33 ± 0.01) mm, P < 0.0001). The neointimal hyperplasia areas in SES and PES showed lower than those of BMS (SES (11.6 ± 1.7) mm(2), PES (27.2 ± 1.6) mm(2) vs. BMS (76.2 ± 1.3) mm(2), P < 0.0001). The mRNA expression of MCP-1 by RT-PCR in SES and PES showed lower than that of BMS at 30 days after stenting (SES 0.20 ± 0.03, PES 0.48 ± 0.49 vs. BMS 0.58 ± 0.07, P < 0.05). Levels of VCAM-1 in SES were significantly lower than those of PES and BMS (SES 0.35 ± 0.08 vs. PES 0.65 ± 0.13, BMS 0.70 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). Histochemical immunostaining of vessel walls showed lower inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 expression in the SES and PES groups compared with BMS.

CONCLUSIONSESs were superior in reducing 1-month angiographic LLL in inflammation lesions in pigs, strongly suggesting that SESs can suppress inflammatory reactions in ISR at multiple points.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Male ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; Swine

OBJECTIVE: To explore infection rate of different adeno-associated virus (AAV) on knee joint cartilage in mice and to find a good gene editing tool for mice chondrocytes of knee joint. METHODS: Forty-five 4-week-old SPF C57BL/6 weighed(14.3±0.2) g were selected. According to different injections(6 μl) for right knee joint, mice were divided into 9 different groups, 5 mice in each group. The groups were such as following:control group (normal saline), Vigene 2 group (AAV2 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Vigene 5 group (AAV5 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Vigene 6 group (AAV6 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Vigene 7 group (AAV7 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Vigene 8 group (AAV8 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Vigene 9 group (AAV9 from vigene biosciences, titer for 1×10¹³ vg/ml), Hanbio DJ group(AAV2-DJ from Hanbio, titer for 1×10¹² vg/ml), Hanbio 5 group (AAV5 from Hanbio, titer for 1×10¹² vg/ml). All AAVs were over-expressed green fluorescent protein(GFP). Knee joint specimens were taken and observed injury of cartilage under stereomicroscope at 30 days after injection, then 10 μm thick frozen sections were prepared. Distribution of green fluorescent protein of meniscus and cartilage of knee joint was observed under fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: Stereomicroscope observation indicated that no obvious lesion was observed in knee joint cartilage of mice after intra-articular injection of AAV. According to frozen sections of knee joints, strong green fluorescence was observed in knee joint cartilage in all AAV experimental groups. Compared with other groups, significantly stronger green fluorescence were observed both in AAV2 and AAV7 groups, whose average fluorescence density was 0.077±0.020 and 0.061±0.022. There were significant differences between two groups and other groups. CONCLUSIONS AAV could infect chondrocyte of knee joint in vivo by injecting into knee joint cavity. Higher infection efficiency of AAV2 and AAV7 on knee joint cartilage were observed. Local injection of AAV into knee joint cavity could be used as an effective tool for gene editing of knee joint chondrocyte.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Dependovirus ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Knee Joint ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL