The two-dimensional model of cell culture is an important method in the study of testicular development and spermatogenesis but can not effectively mimic and regulate the testicular microenvironment and the whole process of spermatogenesis due to the lack of relevant cell factors and the disruption of a three-dimensional spatial structure. In the past 20 years, the development and optimization of the in vitro model such as testis organotypic culture and in vivo model such as testis transplantation achieved a transformation from two- to three-dimension. The maintenance and optimization of the testicular niche structure could mimic the testicular microenvironment and cell types including Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells, which showed similar biological behaviors to those in vivo. Besides, the cell suspension or tissue fragment floats in the gas-liquid interface so that the development of somatic and germ cells is well maintained in vitro whilst the feedback linkage between grafted testis tissue and hypothalamus-pituitary of the host rebuilt in the in vitro model provides an endocrinological basis for spermatogenesis, which serves as an effective methodology to better understand the organogenesis and development of the testis as well as testicular function regulation, advancing the concept of treatment of male infertility. Al- though each of the methods may have its limitations, the progress in the processing, freezing, thawing, and transplantation of cells and tissues will surely promote their clinical application and present their value in translational medicine.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Germ Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; growth & development

Objective To discuss the experience in the diagnosis, treatment, complications and follow up of carotid body tumor. Methods All the 25 cases were diagnosised by DSA and CTA. The tumor was resected under carotid adventitial plane in 18 cases, with external carotid artery resection in 4cases, and in 3 cases, internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA) were resected simultaneously in which internal carotid artery was reconstructed in two cases including using self vein bypass in one and anastomosis between ICA and ECA in the other. ICA was ligated in the third case. Results No cases died perioperatively. ALL CBTs were treated successfully. Horner syndrome and trachyphonia were relieved after operation. Postoperative trachyphonia, bucking and lingual paralysis developed in 3 cases, and in one case with vagus resection caused dyspnea tracheotomy was performed. The rate of nerves injuries was 12% but no semiplegia and aphasia occurred. Follow up period was from 4 to 90 months (average 44 ±6 months) for 21 cases. The trachyphonia and bucking were improved during follow up but the lingual paralysis persists, and tumor recurred in two cases with one dying. Conclusions CBT treatment should include active surgery, sufficient preoperative preparation and avoiding the postoperative nervous complications.

BACKGROUND: At present, the commercial artificial small vascular grafts (diameter < 6 mm) are still unsatisfactory, due to poor blocompatibility and low long-term patency rate. Therefore, finding a vascular substitute with normal biological function and studying construction and function of tissue-engineered blood vessel have become hot topics recently.OBJECTIVE: To construct a novel tissue-engineered blood vessel by rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and vascular acellular matrix, and to investigate the biocompatibility and patency rate of tissue-engineered blood vessels.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro randomized controlled study at level of cytology and histopathology was performed at the Laboratory of Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from January 2006 to June 2008.MATERIALS: The decellularized vascular acellular matrix was obtained by a detergent-enzymatic procedure. MSCs from rabbits were isolated using density gradient centrifugation method and cultured in culture flasks coated with fibronectin. Subsequently, the expanded MSCs were seeded on the decellularized scaffolds, and then co-cultured in the self-made bioreactor to construct the tissue-engineered blood vessels.METHODS: Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. A1.0-cm abdominal aorta was sheared, and a tissue-engineered blood vessel was transplanted on the abdominal aorta using 8/0 polypropylene thread. Tissue-engineered blood vessel group: Tissue-engineered blood vessel was considered as the transplanted vessel; vascular acellular matrix group:Xenoma artery treated by vascular acellular matrix was considered as the transplanted vessel; xenoma artery group: Fresh xenoma artery was considered as the transplanted vessel.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immunocytochemical staining was used to identify the cultured MSCs. After 3 months of transplantation, the grafts were retrieved for digital subtraction angiography, pathological test and scanning electron microscope examination.RESULTS: Rabbits MSCs presented a whirlpool-like appearance at 8 days after culture. The immunocytochemistry results were consistent with the phenotype of MSCs. After high proliferation, MSCs were seeded onto the vascular acellular matrix for 12 days,and seed cells attached to well in the lumen of blood vessels. Three months after implantation, the patency rate was 90% of tissue-engineered blood vessel group and 80% of vascular acellular matrix group, which was superior to xenoma artery group (25%). At three months after transplantation, HE staining and scanning electron microscope demonstrated that internal, middle,and external membrane were clearly observed in the tissue-engineered blood vessel group, and the membrane morphology was similar to normal artery. The endothelial cells were covered completely. However, the endothelial cells were not covered completely in the vascular acellular matrix group, while mural thrombosis, mild proliferation of intima, and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. The intima was thick and necrotic in the xenoma artery group, while lumens were stenotic and accompanied with a certain degree of thrombus organization.CONCLUSION: This study provides a new strategy to develop a tissue-engineered blood vessel with excellent biocompatibility and high patency rate constructed by rabbit MSCs and vascular acellular matrix.

Objective To investigate the technical details and therapeutic effect in treating StarIdford B aortic dissection by endovaseular aortic repair(EVAR). Methods We retrospectively review 115 type B aortic dissection cases undergoing the procedure of mini-traumatic EVAR from November 1998 to February 2009.There were 71 male patients and 44 female patients with a mean age of55.7 years and follow up period from 7 to 83 months for 75 cases. Results The procedure Was technically successful in 113 cases and 122 stent grafts were placed with hybrid surgery being carried out in 3 cases of carotid artery bypass.Severe perioperative complications included subclavian steal syndrome in 4 eases,pulmonaryinfections in 3 cases.arterial embolism in 2 cases,acute cerebral infarction in 2 cases,kidney tailure in 2 cases.alimentary tract hemorrhage,graft infection,acute intestinal ischemia and type A dissection occurred in one each case respectively.Five cases died perioperatively.Among the 75 cases that were fouowed up,there were 9 eases with type I endoleak and at last 5 cases redid endovaacular repmr.2 cases with secondary type A dissection accepted graft replacement.There were 6 deaths during the follow-up period,4 dying of acute myocardial infarction(2 cases),cerebral hemorrhage(1 case),type A dlssection (1 case)respectively,the causes of other2 deaths were not confirmed. Conclusion EVAR was effective for Standford B aortic dissection as shown by midterm follow up.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the effect of naso-intestinal tube decompression and octreotide in conservative management of early post-operative inflammatory ileus (EPII).

METHODSFrom March 2005 to January 2009, forty-five patients diagnosed with EPII, who failed to improve with conventional conservative management including nasogastric tube decompression, were enrolled in this study. All patients were prospectively nonrandomized into naso-intestinal tube group (n = 23) or Octreotide group (n = 22). The outcomes were compared between nasogastric tube, naso-intestinal tube and Octreotide groups.

RESULTSAll the forty-five patients with EPII refractory to conservative management with nasogastric decompression were treated successfully with the naso-intestinal tube decompression or octreotide in 3-12 days. Compared with the Octreotide group, the first passage of flatus was earlier [(4.7 +/- 1.9) d vs (6.7 +/- 1.6) d] and abdominal circumference recovered faster [(90.4 +/- 2.0)% vs (95.1 +/- 1.3)%] in the naso-intestinal tube group (P < 0.05). But the volume of cumulative and daily gastrointestinal decompression were more in naso-intestinal tube group than those in Octreotide group [(4037 +/- 1155) ml vs (3316 +/- 1038) ml; (890 +/- 181) ml vs (492 +/- 83) ml; P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSPatients with EPII could be safely and effectively managed by naso-intestinal tube decompression or octreotide. It is possible for those patients to avoid second laparotomy. Naso-intestinal tube decompression and octreotide are associated with faster recovery and less fluid loss respectively.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decompression ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; etiology ; therapy ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Octreotide ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe and evaluate the short-term and long-term curative effects of the synthetic auricular point therapy on the common migraine in attack stage.

METHODSWith the study method of randomized controlled trial, 108 cases of common migraine at the attack stage were randomly assigned to a treatment group of 72 cases treated with synthetic auricular point therapy (blood-letting on the ear back, point injection of own blood, pricking ear point), and a control group of 36 cases treated with Western medicine. Their short-term and long-term curative effects were observed and evaluated.

RESULTSThe total short-term effective rate and the total long-term effective rate were respectively 98.6% and 79. 6% in the treatment group with less adverse effects, and with a very significant difference as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe synthetic auricular point therapy has obvious short-term and long-term curative effects on common migraine at the attack stage with safety.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Bloodletting ; Humans ; Migraine without Aura ; therapy

OBJECTIVEto retrospectively analyze 4-year results after hybrid (combined surgical-endovascular) therapy in patients with complex peripheral TASC type D atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

METHODSfrom January 2006 to December 2009, 48 lower limbs in 46 patients with TASC type D atherosclerotic occlusive disease were treated by hybrid surgical and endovascular therapy. There were 32 male and 16 female, age ranged from 54 to 85 years with an average of 67 years. The early clinical results were determined by ankle brachial index (ABI) and intermittent claudication distance. Patency analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier life tables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the influence of various risk factors on primary patency.

RESULTSall lower limbs underwent successful hybrid surgical and endovascular therapy. The average ABI before and after hybrid therapy were 0.63 ± 0.18 and 0.24 ± 0.13 (P < 0.05). The average intermittent claudication distance significantly increased from (87 ± 48) m to (247 ± 62) m (P < 0.05). The mean duration of follow-up was 21.7 months (ranging 1 to 46 months). Over all, the primary patency rates, primary assisted patency rates and second patency rates were 79.2%, 83.3% and 95.8% respectively. The primary patency rate for intermittent claudication was significantly higher than that for critical limb ischemia (P < 0.05). Primary patency rates were lower in patients who underwent open surgery with both proximal and distal endoluminal procedures when compared with endovascular reconstruction proximal or distal to the site of open reconstruction (P < 0.05). The presence of diabetes and dyslipidaemia were independent predictors of decreased primary patency rate (P = 0.013 and P = 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSHybrid procedures provide an effective treatment management of selected patients with multilevel lower extremity arterial disease.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arteriosclerosis ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of liver transplantation for late hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSThirty-six patients were treated by liver transplantation from August 2000 to February 2002, of which 15 patients had had advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and thirteen of these 15 patients were evaluated for results.

RESULTSThe 1-year survival rate was 86% (6/7). Only one patient died of recurrence within 6 months. The tumor-free survival was 5 to 19 months. Till February 2002, two patients have survived for 10 months and 19 months with recurrence.

CONCLUSIONIn our country, if the patients can afford liver transplantation, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma without extrahepatic metastasis is still indicated for liver transplantation, since some patients may survive relatively long.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological feature of primary hepatic carcinoma and the clinical significance.

METHODSFrom August 2000 to December 2007, there were 89 patients with cirrhosis and carcinoma of liver who accepted whole liver resection. The whole liver was cut into 10 mm slices to examine the tumor size, number, distribution, capsule, satellite nodes, portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT). The invaded adjacent tissue and lymph nodes were recorded, the distance from satellite to major tumor was measured, then histological examinations were carried out, and the final diagnosis was made by pathologists.

RESULTSThe total of 89 cases included hepatocellular carcinoma in 86 cases and cholangiocarcinoma in 3 cases; 53 cases with multiple tumors and 36 cases with solitary tumor; complete capsule only in 14 cases, no obvious margin in 11 cases, 13 cases had a major tumor in the right lobe and a small tumor in the left lobe; 8 of 25 cases with gross invaded tissue were confirmed by histological examination, 7 of 16 cases with swollen lymph nodes were infiltrated by cancer cells. There were 47 cases with PVTT (47.2%) and 39 cases with satellite nodes (43.8%). PVTT and satellite nodes increased with the increase of sizes and the numbers of the tumors. The distance from satellite node to major tumor mostly were 0.5 - 3.0 cm.

CONCLUSIONSThe whole explanted liver can completely reflect the characteristics of growth and infiltration of hepatic carcinoma. Attention must be paid to the small cancer lesions in another lobe, distal satellite nodes from major tumor, and tumor thrombi in a small branch of portal vein, which can not be found by imaging, and might influence the curative effectiveness after liver resection or transplantation.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of hybrid procedure for the treatment of multi-level iliac and common femoral occlusive disease.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2011, 36 lower limbs with sever iliac and common femoral occlusive diseases were treated by iliac artery stenting combined with open femoral endarterectomy. The mean age of the whole study population was 65 years (range 49 to 87 years) with a male predominance (26 males, 72.2%). The early clinical results were determined by ankle brachial index and intermittent claudication distance. Patency analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier life tables. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the influence of various risk factors on primary patency.

RESULTSAll lower limbs underwent successful hybrid surgical and endovascular therapy. Clinical improvement was seen in 94.4% of patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 24.2 months, overall, the primary patency rates, primary assisted patency rates and second patency rates were 72.2%, 83.3% and 94.4% respectively. The primary patency rate for intermittent claudication was significantly higher than that for critical limb ischemia (P = 0.041, 0.012). Cox regression analysis did not reveal any independent predictor of primary patency.

CONCLUSIONHybrid procedures provided an effective treatment management of multilevel iliac-femoral arterial occlusive disease.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Endarterectomy ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome