Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It is very important to explore the biomarkers for the early prediction of preeclampsia. Some peptides released from placenta, such as soluble Flt-1 and placenta growth factor (PlGF), have been revealed for definite prospects of application. Meanwhile, the recent advances in proteomics, metabolomics and microRNA shed light on searching of new biomarkers for preeclampsia prediction.

Background Many eye diseases such as central retinal artery occlusion,glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy,etc.lead to retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) and furthmore visual functional damage.It is neeessary to study the treatment of RIRI.Objective This study was to observe and discuss the influence of aminoguanidine on the retina morphological changes and its mechanism after RIRI.Methods Eighty clean healthy male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal injury group,RIRI group and aminoguanidine (AG)treated group.The model of RIRI was established by infusing saline solution into the anterior chamber to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) in both RIRI group and AG group.AG was intraperitoneally injected in the models of the AG group,and normal saline solution was used at the same method in tbe normal group and the RIRI group.The fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) were pertormed on the rabbits at the moment of retina ischemia and 6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion.The parts of rabbits were sacrificed 1,6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion,followed by the enucleation of the eyeballs.Retinal section was prepared for TUNEL examination to evaluate the apoptosis of retinal cells.Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in retina was detected with nitrate reductase,and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by colorimetric detection.The use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The fundus photography and FFA showed that the retinal edema was more mild,and the percentage of vascular occlusion was lower in the AG treatment group than that in RIRI group and the amount and area of fluorescein leakage were also smaller than the treatment group.The numbers of TUNEL positive cells in the AG treatment group were less than those in the RIRI model group at 1,6,24 and 72 hours after experiment (F分组 =2762.37,P =0.00 ; F时间 =894.24,P =0.00).Numbers of TUNEL positive cells between adjacent time points were significantly different in both RIRI model group and AG treatment group (RIRI group:q =24.475,36.591,-20.37,P＜0.05;AG group:q =20.94,16.79,-6.92,P＜0.05),with the peak value at 24 hours after experiment.NO contents were significantly higher in the RIRI model group compared to AG group at various time points(q =3.84,4.01,8.91,3.75,P＜0.05),and those between adjacent time points showed significant differences (RIRI group:q=4.77,13.403,-10.29,P＜0.05;AG group:q=4.55,9.05,-5.08,P＜0.05).iNOS activity was significantly elevated in the RIRI model group compared with AG group(q=-3.74,-4.94,-6.53,-3.98,P＜0.05),and obvious differences also were seen between the adjacent time points in both two groups(RIRI group:q =8.43,6.71,-6.39,P＜0.05 ;AG group:q =4.16,5.08,-3.93,P＜0.05).Conclusions Aminoguanidine can protect the retinal function and morpbology from oxidative stress damage after RIRI by reducing the NO level and inhibiting the iNOS activity in retina.

Adult ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the application value of morphology assessment of sperm from fresh semen in routine in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODSWe analyzed the morphology of the sperm from fresh or optimized semen samples and, based on the sperm morphology of the raw semen, allocated 908 IVF cycles due to the pure tubal factor to different groups: morphologically normal sperm (MNS) ≤ 4%, > 4% - ≤ 15%, and > 15% in Trial 1 and MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, > 2% - ≤ 3%, and > 3%-- ≤ 4% in Trial 2. We compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, -blastocyst formation, and pregnancy among different groups.

RESULTSThe total fertilization rate was significantly lower in the MNS ≤ 4% than in the MNS > 4% - ≤ 15% and >15% groups (74.40% vs 78.61% and 80.03%, P < 0.01). Compared with the MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, and > 2% - ≤ 3% groups, the MNS > 3% - ≤ 4% group showed remarkably increased rates of 2PN normal fertilization (77.23%, 78.97% and 78.99% vs 85.47%, P < 0.01), cleavage (95.71%, 96.01% and 97.27% vs 98.73%, P < 0.05), and blastocyst formation (53.85%, 49.01% and 49.55% vs 63.41%, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of clinical pregnancy, implantation, early abortion, live birth, or malformation at birth among different groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMNS ≤ 4% affected the total rate of fertilization while MNS ≤ 3% reduced the rate of normal fertilization in IVF. However, even MNS ≤ 1% did not result in fertilization disorder or failure. Therefore, teratozoospermia alone was not an indicator of ICSI and sperm mor- phology assessment had no obvious value for predicting the rates of embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, and live birth in IVF.

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Pu-erh tea has been used for thousands of years to treat metabolic diseases.Recognized in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic,a compendium kept by the first traditional Chinese practitioners,it is still highly valued for its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects.This review reports the processing and bioactive components of pu-erh tea.Recent human and animal studies of pu-erh tea and its potential therapeutic mechanisms have also been summarized.The interaction of liver and gut microbiome regulates the pu-erh tea biotransformation and endogenous metabolism,and thus contributes to the health benefits.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) and the sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 78 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgery in our hospital between July 1980 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 78 patients, there were 23 HMTC cases and 55 SMTC cases. The HMTC group was significantly younger age of onset [(36.4±13.5) years vs. (46.6±11.2) years, P<0.01] and a lower pre/post-operative serum calcitonin levels [(850.4±110.20) ng/L vs. (1450.4±118.3) ng/L, P<0.01 and (410.8±133.2) ng/L vs. (1585.4±129.5) ng/L, P<0.01] than the SMTC group. In addition, the mean tumor diameter was also significantly smaller in the HMTC group (14.3 mm vs. 21.0 mm in SMTC group, P<0.05). Tumor multifocality was seen in a significantly higher proportion of HMTC cases compared with the SMTC cases (56.6% vs. 29.1%, P<0.05). The overall 10-year survival was 100% in HMTC group and 80.2% in SMTC group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHMTC has a better prognosis than SMTC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomical characteristics about ascending aortic and aortic arch in Chinese population by CT.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to September 2007, 388 patients free of current known aortic pathology undergone thoracic aorta CTA. The diameter of ascending aorta, aortic arch, and branch vessels of aortic arch were measured respectively by AW4.2 work station. The data base about all the measurements was set up. The CHISS statistical software was used to analysis data.

RESULTSThe aortic diameter above coronary artery (CA), the level at origin of and brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), the halfway of the ascending aorta, the level at origin of left common carotid artery (LCCA), the level at origin of left subclavian artery (LSA) and the level at distal of origin of LSA respectively were (34 +/- 5) mm, (34 +/- 5) mm, (33 +/- 4) mm, (30 +/- 4) mm, (28 +/- 3) mm and (26 +/- 3) mm. The diameters of two level between the origin of BCT and right subclavian artery (RSA) were (13.1 +/- 1.9) mm and (12.8 +/- 2.3) mm. Diameters of two level at LCCA were (8.7 +/- 1.5) mm and (7.9 +/- 1.0) mm. The diameters of two level between the origin of LSA and left vertebral artery were (10.7 +/- 1.7) mm and (9.3 +/- 1.3) mm. The aortic lumina length between the origin of CA and BCT was (5.3 +/- 1.2) cm, the aortic lumina length between the origin of BCT and LCCA was (1.3 +/- 0.4) cm, the lumen length between origin of BCT and RSA was (4.1 +/- 0.8) cm, the lumen length between origin of LSA and left vertebral artery was (3.8 +/- 0.8) cm. The distance between the wall of BCT and LCCA was (0.4 +/- 0.2) cm, the distance between the wall of LCCA and LSA was (0.7 +/- 0.6) cm.

CONCLUSIONSModular branched stent-graft system is fit for most part of the Chinese. The size fit for human could be got on this basic.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta ; anatomy & histology ; Aorta, Thoracic ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortography ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery, Common ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Design ; Subclavian Artery ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

The experiments were carried out on guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes by using whole-cell patch clamp. The effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on potassium ion channels of acute ischemic myocytes were observed. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed that physiological potassium current, including delayed rectifier potassium current and inward rectifier potassium current were inhibited under the condition of simulated ischemia, and then further inhibited by treatment with Ang II. ATP-sensitive potassium currents were increased under simulated ischemia and were further enhanced by Ang II treatment.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo review the experience of hybrid conventional open and endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), and evaluate the immediate and long term outcomes.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to October 2008, 15 TAAA patients were treated by hybrid-procedures. The mean patient age was 58.7 years (ranged from 44 to 72 years). The aneurysms were Crawford type I in 2, type II in 8, type III in 2, type IV in 3. The median aneurysms diameter was (67.5 +/- 7.5) mm (ranged from 55 to 82 mm). Patients were followed up before dismissal, 3, 6, 12 months later, and annually thereafter.

RESULTSTwo patients were antegrade revascularization, the others were retrograde revascularization. Mean operation time was (8.1 +/- 1.4) h (ranged from 6.8 to 12.7 h), mean blood loss was (956.7 +/- 80.1) ml (ranged from 750 to 3,000 ml). Two patients died during perioperative time, no paraplegia. During follow up revealed shrinkage of aneurysm, no graft migration and paraplegia, but 1 died for acute myocardial infarct.

CONCLUSIONSHybrid treatment is a safe and effective option for treatment of TAAA. Immediate and mid-term outcomes are favorable, but long-term surveillance is indefinite.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Using whole cell patch clamp, the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the current L-type calcium channel (I(Ca.L)) were observed in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes under simulated ischemia condition, which was realized through hypoxia, glucose deficiency, high lactic acid and acidosis. The results showed that, under the condition of simulated ischemia, the peak of I(Ca.L) was reduced with maximal activation potential at 0 mV. Administration of Ang II (100 nmol/L) enhanced the peak of I(Ca.L) during ischemia and shifted the maximal activation potential to -10 mV. The possible mechanism of these effects is discussed.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques