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

BACKGROUNDOddi sphincter plays an important role in preventing reflux cholangitis. There exists the controversy on application of choledochoduodenostomy in hepatolithiasis management. The present study aimed at evaluating long-term outcomes of choledochoduodenostomy for the treatment of hepatolithiasis.

METHODSForty-six consecutive cases of hepatolithiasis who underwent choledochoduodenostomy were analyzed retrospectively. The pre- and postoperative rates of recurrent cholangitis and acute cholangitis severe type were compared. Paired chi-square test was applied.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was 17.3 years ranging from 1.6 to 40 years with a follow-up rate of 97.8% (45/46). High rates of remnant stones (39.1%, 18/46), recurrent stones (31.1%, 14/45), uncorrected strictures (85%, 17/20), and mortality (24.4%, 11/45) were observed in this group. Regurgitation of food debris and duodenal content into the biliary tract through the anastomosis was observed. The rate of recurrent cholangitis was equal to the preoperative period (93.3%, 42/45). The rate of acute cholangitis severe type after choledochoduodenostomy (46.7%, 21/45) increased significantly (P<0.01) when compared to the preoperative period (20.0%, 9/45).

CONCLUSIONSCholedochoduodenostomy did not entirely achieve the goal of clearance of stones, correction of strictures, and removing of hepatobiliary lesions by itself. Choledochoduodenostomy without cholangioplasty resulted in an increase of severe reflux cholangitis due to the loss of the anti-reflux function of the sphincter of Oddi. Therefore, choledochoduodenostomy is not an ideal approach to reduce cholangitis in hepatolithiasis and is not the best choice in the management of hepatolithiasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Choledochostomy ; Female ; Humans ; Lithiasis ; surgery ; Liver Diseases ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; 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

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features, biological behavior, diagnosis and treatment of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP).

METHODSA retrospective clinical and clinicopathologic analysis was made on 33 cases of SPTP admitted from May 2001 to 2010 July. There were 7 male and 26 female patients, aging from 13 to 66 years with a mean of 34.3 years.

RESULTSThe tumor was located in pancreatic head of 10 patients, in pancreatic neck of 5 patients, in pancreatic body and tail of 18 patients. Of the 33 patients treated with surgery, 8 underwent simple resection of pancreatic tumor, 6 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 3 underwent tumor resection plus pancreaticojejunostomy, 1 underwent tumor resection plus pancreaticogastrostomy, 11 underwent distal pancreatectomy, 4 underwent distal pancreatectomy plus spleen resection (1 underwent mesohepatectomy for hepatic metastasis). Sixteen of the 33 operations were completed by laparoscopy. Histologically, tumors were composed of papillary and microcystic solid structures, with uniformed population of cells. The pancreas and blood vessels invasion were identified in 3 cases, one of them was combined with liver metastasis, and they are male. Immunohistologically, the tumors were positive for α1-antitrypsin, α1-antichymotrypsin, β-catenin, CD10, CD56 and vimentin (all cases), neuron-specific enolase (3 cases), synaptophysin (6 cases), chromogranin A (4 cases), progesterone receptor (28 cases), estrogen receptor (3 cases), S-100 (6 cases). Totally 33 cases were followed up with a median period of 49 months without tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSSPTP is of low graded malignancy. It primarily affects young women. It may be located in any part of pancreas. Immunohistochemistry is very important for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SPTP. Surgical resection is recommended as the treatment of choice. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy or tumor resection is feasible and safe for some selected patients, and the prognosis is good.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for acute renal failure (ARF) early after liver transplantation.

METHODSThe data of 362 patients undergoing liver transplantation from August 2000 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, including 71 patients with ARF (ARF group) and 291 without ARF (non-ARF group). Thirty-six variables, including clinical and experimental variables, were analyzed by t test for continuous variables and χ(2) test for discrete variables. The variables with significance (P < 0.05) were then analyzed with Stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTSTwelve variables, including pretransplant serum creatinine, hemoglobin, thrombinogen activity, total bilirubin, MELD scores, total operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, preoperative urine output, preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, intraoperative low blood pressure and postoperative infection, had significant difference between two groups (F = 10.30 - 182.70, P = 0.000 - 0.041). The Stepwise logistic regression analysis for 12 variables demonstrated that the high level of pretransplant serum creatinine, the low pretransplant thrombinogen activity, the high MELD scores, the large volume of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative infection were the independent risk factors of ARF complicated to orthotopic liver transplantation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly ARF is a key negative factor for the survivors after orthotopic liver transplantation. The reason for ARF complicated to OLT is multiple. The high level of pretransplant serum creatinine, the low pretransplant thrombinogen activity, the high MELD scores, the large volume of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative infection were the independent risk factors of ARF complicated to orthotopic liver transplantation.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; 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