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

Objective To observe therapeutic effects of treating intractable headaches with acupuncture combined with Xiongge Siwu decoction. Methods 200 cases of patients with intractable headaches were recruited into a control group and a treatment group, with 100 patients in each group. The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with self-designed Xiongge Siwu decoction, while the control group was treated with conventional western medical treatment. Results The total effective rate was 95% and 55% in the treatment group and the control group respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05) . Conclusion Treating intractable headaches with acupuncture combined with decoction of Xiongge Siwu decoction is effective.

Objective To investigate the changes of homocysteic acid (Hcy) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in blood plasma of elderly patients with coronary heart disease and elucidate the risk factors of elderly patients with coronary heart disease.Methods 90 elderly patients with coronary heart disease were divided into 3 groups:stable angina pectoris group (SAP)(n=30),unstable angina pectoris group(UAP)(n=30),acute myocardial infarction group(AMI)(n=30).30 healthy elderly persons elder than 60 years old were enrolled as control group.Venous blood of all persons was harvested during empty stomach and plasma was separated.Then plasma Hcy and CRP were determined.Results The TC and TG levels in the three elderly coronary heart disease groups were significantly higher than those in control group (P

Objective To summarize the effect of transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) in combination with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods A combined use of TUVP and TURP was carried out for treating 122 cases of BPH. There were 8 cases of Rous stage Ⅰ disease, 58 cases of stage Ⅱ, 32 cases of stage Ⅲ, and 24 cases of Ⅳ. Results The length of duration of the operation was 20~140 min (mean, 68 min). The intraoperative blood loss was 40~200 ml (mean, 80 ml). A blood transfusion of 200 ml was required in 2 cases after the operation. No transurethral resection syndrome (TURS) occurred. The mean postoperative catheterization time was 6 days. All 122 patients had been followed for 4~19 months (mean, 10 months). The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) decreased from 30.2?2.3 pre-)operation to 10.8?2.5 post-operation (t=10.84,P=0.000); the residual urine (RU) decreased from 252.6?65.3 ml pre-operation to 35.6?10.4 ml post-operation (t=23.52,P=0.000); the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) increased from 8.5?2.8 ml/s to 20.6?3.8 ml/s (t=6.67,P=0.000). Postoperatively, transient urinary incontinence was observed in 2 cases, and anterior urethral stricture occurred in 2 cases. Conclusions Combined use of transurethral electrovaporization and resection of the prostate for the treatment of BPH gives satisfactory effects.

Disease Notification ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis

Background Researching the pathological characteristics and components of cells in internal limiting membrane of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) has an important clinical significance for the prevention of IMH.However,the study results are still disputable.Objective This study was to investigate the histopathological features of internal limiting membrane of IMH and the types of cells inside it, and explore the pathomechanism of IMH.Methods Seven specimens of internal limiting membrane were obtained during the vitrectomy with IMH patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from February 2012 to August 2013 under the informed consent of patients.The histopathological examination was performed for the structural observation and cellular identification of internal limiting membrane.The expression and location of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD45 and CD44 in internal limiting membrane were examined by using immunochemistry and immunofluorescence technology.Results All the seven specimens showed continuous undulating membrane with red staining.Two specimens appeared to be uniform in thickness and few cells were distributed in the specimens.The internal limiting membranes were uneven in thickness in the other specimens with retinal pigment epithelial cells,neuroglia cells,fibrocytes,macrophages and lymphocytes in them.Immunochemistry showed the positive expression of GFAP in the outer layer of the specimens.CD45 positive cells were detected in the internal limiting membranes, and CD44 was detected in the inner layer of the specimens.Conclusions Few cells exist in the internal limiting memranes of IMH.However,neuroglia cells and CD45 positive cells emerge in the internal limiting memranes of stage 3 or above IMH eyes, indicating the proliferation of cells and immuno-inflammation response exist during the IMH development.The up-regulation of CD44 expression promotes inflammatory response of internal limiting memranes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV)-mediated CD151 gene in promoting neovascularization and coronary collateralization in swines after myocardial infarction.Method Twenty-six chinese minipigs(clean,provided by breeding pig farm of Huazhong Agricultural University) were randomly divided into four groups:(1)normal control group(n=4):swines without surgery.(2)rAAV-GFP group(n=7):The acute myocardial infarction models were produced in swines by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD).The success criteria of the models was that ST-segment elevations in leatds I and aVL maintained for 20 minutes.The rAAV-GFP was injected into the left ventricular anterior wall(divided into 10 points,1×10 11 pfu/point).(3)rAAV-CD151 group(n=7):The operation method was the same as rAAV-GFP group.The rAAV-CD151 was injected into the left ventrieular anterior wall(divided into 10 points).(4) rAAV-antiCD151 group(n=8):The operation method was the same as rAAV-GFP group.The rAAV-antiCD151 was injected into the left ventricular anterior wall(divided into 10 points).Eight weeks after coronary artery liga-tion,the expression of CD151 was measured by western blot.Coronary angiography was done to evaluate collateral circulation of the infarct zone of myocardium.The infurct size was determined by staining with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride(TTC).Statistical analysis wan carried out by using one-way analysis of variances.Results High level of CD151 protein expression was detected.Coronary angiography showed better collateral circulation in the rAAV-CD151 group.The percentage of infarct size was sinificanly lower in the rAAV-CD151 group (12.82±2.26)% than that in the other two groups,and that was higber in rAAV-anti-CD151 group(32.52±3.47)% than that in the rAAV-GFP group(23.14%±2.83%,both P＜0.05).Conelusions CD151 in vivo gene transferred to swines with acute myocardial infarction promotes neovascularization and thereby improves collateral circulation.

Objective To investigate the effect of CD151 gene therapy on improving myocardial function in swines with myocardial infarction. Methods CD151, antisense CD151 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were constructed into the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). Swines were divided into 4 groups: rAAV-GFP group (6 swines), rAAV-CD151 group (6 swines), rAAV-antiCD151 group (6 swines) and control group (6 swines). The swines were performed with coronary artery ligation and intramuscularly injection with rAAV. Eight weeks after vector administration, western blot was used to detect gene expression of CD151. 13N-labeled NH3 positron emission tomography (PET) was used to evaluate myocardial perfusion. Echocardiography was used to assess myocardial function. Results Compared with the control group and the rAAV-GFP group, the rAAV-CD151 group showed higher CD151 protein expression. Compared with the rAAV-GFP group, the defect size of myocardium was decreased[( 11.3±2.4)% vs. (21.1±2.6)%, t= -5.67,P<0.01] and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), the ratio of anterior lateral wall thickening (△ALWT) and ratio of interventricular septum thickening (△IVST) were significantly improved in rAAV-CD151 group 8 weeks after vector administration [(65.7±4.6)% vs. (54.7±5.3)%, (36.0±2.9)% vs. (27.6±3.1)%,(55.4± 4.9)% vs. (36.8±7.8)%, (35.2±6.0)% vs. (26.7±4.4)%, t=3.98, 3.35, 3.34, 9.27, all P< 0.05]. The level of diastolic ALWT and diastolic IVST was also increased in rAAV CD151 group compared with rAAV-GFP group ( P<0.05).Compared with rAAV-CD151 group, parameters of myocardial function in rAAV-antisense CD151 group were not improved (P<0.05). Conclusions rAAV-CD151 can effectively transfeet the myocardium, increase the expression ofCD151 protein, promote the blood perfusion of myocardium and improve the ventricular function after myocardial infarction.

Objective The purpose of the present study is to compare the pharmacokinetic and biodistribution properties of 99Tcm N-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (99 Tcm N-MPO) with 99 Tcm-sestamibi (99 Tcm-MIBI) in normal dogs, and to investigate the potential of 99TcmN-MPO as a myocardial perfusion agent in canines with acute myocardial infarction. Methods Twelve healthy mongrel dogs were injected intravenously with 99TcmN-MPO (n = 6) or 99Tcm-MIBI (n = 6). Tracer kinetics in body fluids were determined by collecting blood of 1 ml via a femoral vein catheter at 30 s, 1,2,3,4,5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60and 90 min post-injection (p. i.). The collected blood samples were weighed and counted for radioactivity in a γ-counter. Anterior and posterior planar γ-camera images were collected at 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after injection, with organ uptake quantified by region-of-interest (ROIs) analysis. For comparison, 99Tcm-MIBI was also evaluated in the same twelve dogs. Canine infarct models were set up by micro-invasive interventional embolization. SPECT images in the canine infarct model were collected 24 hours after myocardial infarction at 30 min and 60 min after the administration of 99Tcm N-MPO (n = 5) or 99Tcm-MIBI (n = 5). Results Both of 99Tcm N-MPO and 99Tcm-M1BI had a rapid blood clearance with less than 50% of initial radioactivity remaining at 1 min [99TcmN-MPO: (35. 77 ± 6. 31)% ID/mg ,99Tcm-MIBI (34. 46 ± 6. 83) % ID/mg] and less than 5% at 30 min p. i. [99Tcm N-MPO(3. 11 ± 1.44) % ID/mg,99Tcm-MIBI (2.93 ±0. 39)% ID/mg] . After injection, 99TcmN-MPO showed significant accumulation in the myocardium and prolonged retention. This rapid liver clearance of 99TcmN-MPO led to favorable heart-to-liver ratios, reaching values of 0. 54 ±0. 06 at 10 min, 1.02 ±0. 06 at 30 min, and 1.38 ±0. 06 at 60 min p. i.In contrast, the heart/liver ratio of 99Tcm-MIBI remained low at all time points (0. 46 ± 0. 03 at 10 min,0. 63 ±0. 03 at 30 min, and 0. 62 ± 0. 12 at 60 min p. i.). SPECT imaging studies in canines with acute myocardial infarction indicated that good visualization of the left ventricular wall and perfusion defects could be achieved at 30 min after administration of 99TcmN-MPO, but not 99Tcm-MIBI. Conclusion The combination of high heart uptake and rapid liver clearance makes 99TcmN-MPO a promising new radiotracer for myocardial perfusion imaging.