Objective:To determine the role of lncRNA TUG1 in pancreatic β cells functioning both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The lncRNA TUG1 expression in mice pancreas,brain,muscle and other different tissues was examined through qRT-PCR.MTT,flow cytometry,GSIS,ELISA and immunochemistry analyses were performed to detect the effect of lncRNA TUG1 on insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo.Results:lncRNA TUG1 was highly expressed in pancreatic tissue compared with other organ tissues.Knockdown of lncRNA TUG1 expression resulted in decreased insulin secretion in β cells both in vitro and in vivo.Immunochemistry analyses showed decreased relative islet area after treatment with lncRNA TUG1 siRNA.Conclusions:Downregulation of lncRNA TUG1 expression can affect insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells in vitro and in vivo,and lncRNA TUG1 may represent a factor that regulates the function of pancreatic β cells.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Air ; analysis ; Alcohols ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Workplace

Objective To investigate the association of interferon (IFN) γ gene polymorphisms and risk and prognosis of HPV cervical infection.Methods PCR-ASP was used for detectiug IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphism in 179 HPV positive patients and 328 HPV negative normal controls.Results The frequency of A allele of 63.7％ (228/358) was significantly higher than the frequency of T allele of 36.3％ (130/358) in HPV positive group (P =0.045).The frequencies were 41.3％ (74/179) in AA genotype and 14.0％ (25/179) in TT genotype,women carrying AA genotype increased the risk of HPV infection compare with those with TT genotype (OR =1.784,95％ CI:1.031-3.088,P =0.039).During follow-up,the rate of HPV positive again in AA genotype was 83.8％ (62/74),while TT genotype was 20.0％ (5/25).In the analysis of Kaplan-Meier,the cumulative HPV negative rates of AA,TA and TT genotype exhibited significantly different (P =0.008).The cumulative HPV negative rate of AA genotype was the lowest (1.1％-5.9％).Conclusions IFN-γ rs2430561 polymorphisms confer the susceptibility to HPV infection.Women with AA genotype exhibited higher risk of infection and inclined to be continuous status and recurrence after HPV infection.

Objective To investigate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)and plasma homocysteine(Hcy)levels in patients with ischemie cerebrovascular disease(ICVD).Methods Seventy-six patients with ICVD were monitored with polysomnography(PSG) for 7-8 hours during sleeping.The levels of fibrinogen(FBG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDLC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),triglyceride(TG)and plasma Hey were assessed.Results Of the 76 ICVD patients,57 showed apnea symptom during sleeping,of which 53(69.7%)were diagnosed with OSAHS and 4 with central sleep apnea,According to the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI),the severity of apnea was classified as no apnea symptom(19 cases with mean AHI of 2.38±0.96 and Hey level of(8.78 ±2.01)μmol/L),mild apnea(21 cages with mean AHI of 14.14 ±4.37 and Hcy level of(12.91 ±3.00)μmol/L),moderate apnea(24 cases with mean AHI of 29.62±5.81 and Hcy level of(14.85 ±4.15)μmol/L)and severe apnea(8 cases with mean AHI of 46.75±2.82 and Hcy level of(19.30±4.82)μmol/L).The level of Hcy was statistical significant among these 4 groups(F=40.32,P<0.01)and correlated with the mean AHI(r=0.598,P<0.01).Conclusion Patients with ICVD have a high morbidity of OSAHS,mainly suffering from mild to moderate apnea;The plasma Hcy level elevates in the ICVD patients with OSAHS and is correlated with the severity of apnea.

Objective To investigate the expression of neuron-specific enolase(NSE) and bone morphogenic protein 4(BMP4) in different hippocampal areas of pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) kindled epilepsy rats and explore their relationship with the pathogenesis of epilepsy and brain injury.Methods Fifty male SD rats were divided into experimental group(n=40) and control group(n=10).The rats in experimental group were kindled into epilepsy by chemical method,and according to the kindling process,subdivided into four groups(grade Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ).Immunohistochemistry,in situ hybridization labeled with Dig-oligonucleotide probe and the image analyzing system were used to observe the expressions of NSE and BMP4 in rat hippocampus.Results In PTZ kindled epilepsy rats,the number of cells positive for NSE and BMP4 was increased in many regions of hippocampal formation.Compared with control group,the expressions of NSE and BMP4 in CA3 and DG was elevated obviously in the grade Ⅲ group and grade Ⅳ group(P

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of close manipulative reduction combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation(MIPPO) and conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to March 2013, among the 75 patients with fractures of proximal humerus, 26 patients were male and 49 patients were female, ranging in age from 22 to 80 years; 18 patients had injuries caused by traffic accident and 57 patients had injuries caused by falling down. According to Neer classification, there were 49 cases of two-part fractures and 26 cases of three-part fractures. All the patients were divided into two groups: MIPPO group and ORIF group. There were 12 males and 21 females in the MIPPO group,including 22 cases of Neer two parts and 11 cases of Neer three parts, who were treated with close manipulative reduction combined with MIPPO. While the other 42 patients were in the ORIF group,including 16 males and 26 females. Among those patients,27 cases belonged to Neer two parts and 15 cases of Neer three parts, who were treated with ORIF. Length of the incision, blood loss, operating time, early postoperative pain(recorded by VAS), neck-shaft angle of proximal humerus and postoperative function of shoulder(recorded by Constant-Murley score, including pain, function, ROM and muscle length) were compared.

RESULTSThe mean lengths of incision were (6.74 +/- 0.38) cm in MIPPO group and (16.82 +/- 1.74) cm in ORIF group;blood losses were (110.15 +/- 29.49) ml in MIPPO group and (326.19 +/- 59.71) ml in ORIF group; operation times were (48.60 +/- 10.18) min in MIPPO group and (68.84-16.22) min in ORIF group. VAS of patients in MIPPO group on the 1st and 3rd days postoperatively were lower than those of patients in the ORIF group. The postoperative radiographs verified good position of all screws and satisfactory reduction of bone fracture reduction in both groups. All the patients were followed up,and the durig ranged from 8 to 24 months (mean 14.2 months). In the MIPPO group, there was no humeral head necrosis and all patients gained bone union; while in the ORIF group, 3 patients sustained nonunion and received reoperation for bone grafting, and 2 patients sustained humeral head necrosis. The mean Constant-Murley scores of shoulder were 88.94 +/- 2.57 in the MIPPO group and 86.00 +/- 3.36 in the ORIF group.

CONCLUSIONThe close manipulative reduction combined with MIPPO is a better choice for fixation of proximal humerus fractures, compared with conventional plate. This method possesses such advantages as a shorter incision, less disturbance of the blood supply and stable fixation of the fracture, allowing early exercise so that the function of shoulder recovers rapidly.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Humerus ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical, electromyographic and cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of Hirayama disease. Methods Fifteen patients with Hirayama disease were observed for special clinical manifestations and underwent electromyographic examination of the bilateral distal upper limb muscles and peripheral nerve conduction velocity. MRI of the neck in neutral and fully flexed positions was performed to identify potential lower cervical cord atrophy and cervical curvature anomalies. Results All the 15 male patients had disease onset during puberty with asymmetric muscular atrophy and weakness of the hands and forearms. Concentric needle electromyography revealed prolonged duration and large amplitude of the motor unit potentials in the compromised distal limb muscles with also increased polyphasic potentials and poor recruitment, involving mainly the C7, C8 and T1 myotomes. In neutral neck position, MRI identified lower cervical cord atrophy in 9 patients, occurring mainly at C5, C6 levels;in fully flexed position, all patients showed forward displacement and flattening of the lower cervical cord, occurring mostly at C6 level. Conclusion Hirayama disease occurs mainly in puberty in young male patients, whose clinical features and electromyographic examination often indicate localized anterior horn anomalies in the lower cervical cord. MRI of the neck in neutral and fully flexed position can provide valuable assistance in the diagnosis of this disease.

OBJECTIVETo compare the angiogenesis in unstable and stable plaques and to investigate the potential role of neovessels in creating vulnerable sites for atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSpecimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 52 autopsy cases with acute coronary syndromes. Plaque morphology was studied by use of stained slides. 922 tissue blocks of late-stage lesions were classified into two groups: (1) unstable plaque (n = 153), the plaque was characterized by a large extracellular lipid core (more than 40% of the plaque area); (2) stable plaque (n = 769), lipid core less than 40% of the plaque area. Forty blocks were selected randomly from each group and serial sections were stained immunohistochemically with a polyclonal antibody against F VIII RAg. Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, the occurrence of neovessels was more frequent and the neovessel density (number/mm(2)) was significantly increased as compared to that of stable plaques (frequency: 80.4% vs 66.6%, P < 0.01; shoulder: 22.16 +/- 19.96 vs 10.04 +/- 11.52, base: 21.68 +/- 20.44 vs 9.68 +/- 11.52, fibrous cap: 3.80 +/- 5.32 vs 1.48 +/- 2.28, P < 0.05). Most neovessels were located in the shoulder region and at the base of plaques.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that neovessels in coronary atherosclerotic plaques are closely associated with the decreased stabilization of the plaques.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

To study the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 specific receptor Mas protain in renal blood vessels of metabolic syndrome ( MS) rats and its anti-oxidative effect. A total of 80 male SD rats were divided into four groups: the normal control group (NC, the same volume of normal saline), the MS group (high fat diet), the MS + Astragali Radix group (MS + HQ, 6 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage) and the MS + Valsartan group (MS + XST, 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage). After four weeks of intervention, their general indexes, biochemical indexes and blood pressure were measured; plasma and renal tissue Ang II, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide demutase (SOD) levels were measured with radioimmunoassay. The protein expressions of Mas receptor, AT1R, ACE and ACE2 were detected by western blot analysis. According to the result, compared with the NC group, the MS group and the MS + HQ group showed significant increases in systolic and diastolic pressures, body weight, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acid and Ang II level of MS rats (P < 0.05). The MS + XST group showed notable decreases in systolic and diastolic pressures than that of the MS group. The MS group showed significant increases in the SOD activity and NO level and decrease in the MDA level after being intervened with Astragali Radix. ACE and AT1R protein expressions in renal tissues of the MS group were higher than that in the NC group, but with lower ACE2 and -Mas receptor expressions (all P < 0.05). Compared with the MS group, the MS + HQ group showed significant increase in Mas receptor expression in renal tissues, whereas the MS + XST group showed notable decrease in AT1R (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, Astragali Radix can increase the Mas receptor expressions in renal tissues, decrease ACE expression and change local Ang II, MDA, NO and SOD in kidneys, so as to protect early damages in renal tissues.
Angiotensin I ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects