OBJECTIVETo explore the expression patterns of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 10 fertile men, performed density gradient centrifugation, and then determined the expressions of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the sperm by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed the mRNA expressions of CXCL12 (0.641 +/- 0.180) and CXCR4 (0.464 +/- 0.100) in the sperm. However, only CXCR4 rather than CXCL12 was expressed at the protein level, and the positive staining for CXCR4 was observed mainly in the posterior part of the acrosome.

CONCLUSIONCXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved as important molecules in regulating the function of human sperm.

Acrosome ; metabolism ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Gene Expression Regulation ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVEThe clinical results of restoring defective teeth with two types of glass fiber prothetic systems is investigated to acquire clinical experience for further application of glass fiber posts with independent intellectual property rights.

METHODSA total of 120 out-patients with restored defective teeth were selected from the Department of Stomatology, Beijing Xuanwu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology and randomly divided into two groups. OUYA FIBER posts and Tenax Fiber White posts were used to restore defective teeth in the experimental group and the control group, respectively. Clinical evaluation was conducted one week and three months post-restoration.

RESULTSBoth clinical satisfactory rates of OUYA FIBER posts and Tenax Fiber White posts were higher than 98% one week post-restoration and higher than 96% three months post-restoration. No significant differences were observed between the clinical results of restoring defective teeth with the two types of fiber posts. Throughout the healing process, no root canal fracture or marginal staining were observed.

CONCLUSIONOUYA FIBER post and Tenax Fiber White post showed similar clinical outcomes during the period of observation in this study. However, the long-term effects should be observed in future studies.

Dental Stress Analysis ; Glass ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Resin Cements ; Tooth Fractures

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sprains and Strains ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Autoimmune Diseases ; pathology ; Benzamides ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Eosinophilia ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; physiology ; Helminthiasis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Hypersensitivity ; pathology ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is of high variation,which results in persistent infection of HCV and increases the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Following the successful paradigm established for HIV protease inhibitors,HCV NS3-4A serine protease has been selected as the main target for the development of small molecule antiviral agents.In this article,we review recent progress in the discovery and development of HCV NS3-4A protease inhibitors,and discuss their antiviral activities,pharmacokinetic properties,side effects and resistance profiles.

Humans ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:Our previous study has already manifested that Chinese medicine Xiaokening can effectively prevent and treat the early diabetic nephropathy. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of rhein and archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells of rats cultured with high glucose. METHODS:Mesangial cells were stimulated by different concentrations of rhein and archen (20, 40 and 80 μmol/L). Morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Karyon apoptosis was examined by fluorescence staining of DAPI. cellapoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The outcome of hematoxylin-eosin staining and DAPI staining indicated that the effect of rhein was much stronger than that of archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells in the rats cultured with high glucose. Comparison of the apoptosis rate also indicated that the rhein had a stronger effect on the earlier and the later stage apoptotic rate of mesangial cells than archen. Both rhein and archen with different concentrations can induce apoptosis of mesangial cells, but the effect of rhein is much stronger.

Objective To evaluate remedy therapy for biliary restenosis after repair of bile duct injury.Methods Clinical data of 60 patients with bile duct injury including 16 patients with restenosis after repair admitted to Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2000 to December 2012 was retrospectively analyzed.Results 16 patients suffering from biliary duct restenosis included 3 cases of type Ⅱ 1 d,10 cases of type Ⅱ2 d,2 cases of type Ⅱ 3 d and 1 case of type Ⅱ 4 d.The reoperative procedures included hepatic hilar biliary plasty with bilioenteric anastomosis in 15 cases,right hemihepatectomy with left hepatic bilioenteric anastomosis in 1 case.Postoperative bile leakage in 3 cases and pleural effusion in 10 cases were cured by watchful therapy.All of the 16 cases were followed up with an average time of 5.2 years.No occurrence of cholangitis and elevated liver enzymes were observed up to now in 8 patients,increased γ-GT and ALP,no cholangitis but anastomotic stenosis as showed by MRCP in 6 patients with 2 patients neccesitating reoperation to address repeated cholangitis.Conclusions Restenosis after bile duct repair was closely associated with injury type,repair opportunity,repair methods and the surgeon's expertise.Precise preoperative evaluation,the choice of rational surgical approach,the clinging to mucosa-to-mucosa bilioenteric anastmosis principle and the establishment of postoperative long-term followup system centered on ALP,γ-GT and life quality score are required in the reoperation of stenosis after bile duct repair.

Objective To determine whether mutation of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene is associated with hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).Methods The venous blood was collected from 50 patients with HBV-GN and 60 patients with asymptomatic HBV carriers (control group).Serum HBV DNA was extracted to determine the serum titer of HBV-DNA and then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the HBV X gene mutation.Results (1)There were not statistical significance between age and gender in HBV-GN group and control group (P ＞0.05).There were not statistical significance of serum replication level of HBV DNA in HBV-GN with X gene mutation and control group (P ＞ 0.05).Urine protein excretion in HBV-GN group with or without X gene mutation was found with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).(2)Nucleotide mutations [84％ (42/50)] resulted in amino acid substitution in HBV-GN.Nucleotide mutations changed in transfunction control region of X gene,including position nt1653,nt1726,nt1727,nt1730,nt1753,nt1762 and nt1764.(3)Nucleotide mutations [8％(5/60)] resulted in amino acid substitution in control group.Nucleotide mutations changed in position nt1632 and nt1635,located in non-functional region.Conclusions HBV X gene mutations and the subsequent amino acid substitutions are found in HBV-GN.The urine protein excretion level increases in patients with X mutation,suggesting that these mutations may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HBV-GN.