AIM: The cytoplasm Ca 2+, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and germ cell apoptosis of testes in adult male rats with varicocele were observed to investigate the relationship between apoptosis and infertility. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy male Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly: varicocele group (VG, n=20) and sham operation group (SOG, n=15). Bilateral testes were removed after ten weeks. One part of it was homogenized, the other part was performed for tissue sectioning. The atomic absorption method was used to detect the cytoplasm Ca 2+. The germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expression of Bcl-2/Bax was detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The cytoplasm Ca 2+ in testes of rats with varicocele was decreased obviously. The apoptosis indexes of germ cells and Bax expression in VG were significantly increased as compared with those in the SOG, while Bcl-2 expression was obviously decreased. CONCLUSION: The results showed that apoptosis was increased in testes of VG rats, suggesting that male infertility with varicocele may be caused by some apoptosis agents such as high temperature, testes toxin and oxygen free radical. The cytoplasm Ca 2+ and change of expression of Bcl-2/Bax may contribute to germ cell apoptosis and cause male infertility.

Objective To study the rule of lymph node metastasis rate in cN 0 papillary thyroid microcar-cinoma( cN0-PTMC) and to evaluate an appropriate region of neck dissection .Methods Data of 233 cases of cN0-PTMC were retrospectively analyzed .Univariate analysis with chi-square test was used to analyze the statisti-cal correlation between gender , age, tumor diameter and lymph node metastasis respectively .Results 81 out of 233 patients(34.8%)had cervical lymph node metastasis (30.0%in central region and 9.9%in lateral region). For patients with tumor diameter ( D)≤5 mm and D>5 mm, lymph node metastasis rate in central region was 21.6%and 36.6%(χ2 =6.199,P<0.05) and it was 4.9% and 13.7% respectively in lateral region (χ2 =5.035,P<0.05).For male and female patients, lymph node metastasis rate in central region was 42.1% and 26.1%respectively(χ2 =5.224,P<0.05), and it was 21.1% and 6.3% respectively in lateral region (χ2 =10.604,P<0.01).Lymph node metastasis rate in patients≤45 years old and >45 years old was 37.9% and 21.1% respectively (χ2 =7.792, P <0.01 ) .The lateral region lymph node metastasis rate was 17.1% and 6.7%when the central region lymph node was infringed or not (χ2 =5.947, P<0.05).Conclusions All cN0-PTMC patients should have a normative central neck dissection .Male patients with PTMC and tumor diameter >5 mm should receive the lateral neck lymphoid tissue exploration during surgery in order to find subclinical metas -tasis.

Objective To detect the level of plasma microRNA-1 (miR-1) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and compare the diagnostic values of it with that of cardiac troponin T (cTnT).Methods During 2011-05 to 2012-05,there were fifty-six plasma samples taken from patients with AMI and twenty-eight plasma specimens got from non-AMI controls were analyzed.The expression of plasma miR-1 was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR),and the level of plasma cTnT was measured by using electrochemiluminescence-based methods on the Elecsys 2010 Immunoassay Analyzer.Then,the SPSS 16.0 was used for the statistical analysis.Data were presented as means ± standard deviation unless otherwise described.The differences about clinical characteristics between AMI patients and controls were tested using Student' s t-test or Fisher' s exact test.The Mann-Whitney test was conducted to compare the expression of microRNAs between the AMI patients and controls.The comparison of microRNAs expression between different intervals of AMI patients was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to discriminate AMI patients from controls.Results The expression of plasma miR-1 was significantly increased in AMI patients (P ＜ 0.01) compared with healthy controls.The contents of the plasma miR-1 in AMI patients fell down nearly to the normal level at 14 days (P ＞ 0.05).There was no relevance between the expression of plasma miR-1 and the clinical characteristics of the study population (P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,ROC curve analyses demonstrated that miR-1 had the specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of early AMI,but was not superior to cTnT.Conclusions Our results showed that plasma miR-1 had the capacity in early diagnosis of early AMI,and can be biomarker for AMI,however,miR-1 is not superior to cTnT for the diagnosis of AMI.

BACKGROUND: The choice of suitable bone graft substitute is vital for spinal fusion treatment, which can solve some limitations caused by autogenous bone graft and other materials. OBJECTIVE: To investigate properties of different bone graft fusion materials, and to explore their application in dog spinal fusion of lumbar vertebral body. METHODS: Forty-five Chinese rural dogs were enrol ed to prepare lumbar interbody fusion models, and then were randomized into three groups transplanted with autogenous ilium, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 composite or al ograft ilium, respectively. Afterwards, effects of different materials in the lumbar interbody fusion were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The fusion rate of the composite group was significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). Oswestry dysfunction index of the composite group was significantly lower than those of the other groups after surgery (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that dogs achieved complete bony fusion, continuous bone trabecula gradual y formed, and there was no gap between the transplanted bone and the bone surface in the composite group compared with the other groups at 12 weeks after surgery. These results demonstrate that recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 composites can significantly promote the spinal fusion superior to autologous and al ogeneic bone grafts.

BACKGROUND: Varicocele (VC) can induce the infertility in males, so the investigation on its mechanism is important for the treatment of male infertility. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of VC induced by surgical operation on the contents of mitochondria calcium, cytochrome C and cell apoptosis as well as the changes of microstructure and ultrastructure in epididymis. DESIGN: Randomized control experiment. MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in Jiamusi University between June 2003 and May 2004. Forty male adolescent Wistar rats with the average body mass of (220±20) g were selected, which were provided by the Animal Laboratory of Jiamusi University. Rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group and deligation group with 20 rats in each group at one week after feeding at room temperature. METHODS: Rats in the sham-operation group were made into sham-op eration models by exposing the left renal vein. Rats in the deligation group were deligated of partial left renal veins so as to establish VC models. Bilateral epididymides were removed at ten weeks after operation. The levels of mitochondria calcium in head and body of epididymis as well as the contents of cytochrome C and cytoplasm cytochrome C were detected. The cell apoptosis was detected by in situ terminal deoxynucleotityl transferase mediated dTUP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The specimens of corpus epididymis were routinely made for observation under optimal microscope and electron microscope. The changes of microstructure and ultrastructure of epididymis were studied.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The contents of mitochondria calcium, cytochrome C and cytoplasm cytochrome C. Cell apoptosis. Changes of cellular morphous in epididymis. RESULTS: A total of 40 rats were involved in the analysis of results.① The contents of mitochondria calcium in bilateral epididymis were obviously decreased in the deligation group than the sham-operation group [(4.72±1.45), (5.90±1.97), (10.13±2.34) mg/g, (P ＜ 0.01)].②The content of mitochondria cytochrome C in right epididymis obviously increased more in the deligation group than the sham-operation group [(0.36±0.20), (0.19±0.14), (0.15±0.07) μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05)]. ③The contents of cytoplasm cytochrome C in bilateral epididymis greatly increased more in the deligation group than the sham-operation group [(8.17±1.49), (7.48 ± 1.60), (5.93±1.60) mol/L, (P ＜ 0.05)].④The apoptotic rate of bilateral cells in the deligation group was significantly increased than the sham-op eration group [( 13.3±1.9)%, ( 12.6±1.5)%, (6.2±0.3)%,(P ＜ 0.01 )]. However, there were no significant differences in mitochondria calcium, cytochrome C, cytoplasm cytochrome C and apoptotic rate between the left and right mitochondria of the deligation group (P ＞ 0.05).⑤Main changes under light microscope: cuctus epididymis shrinked, the blebbing appeared in epithelial cells, and the light cells as well as halo cells in epithelia were significantly increased. ⑥Main representation under electron microscope: the cytolysosome inside the chief cells were increased and enlarged with increased residual bodies, and the endoplasmic reticulum expanded, the mitochondria cristae was dim, the Golgi complex was vacuolated. Besides, nuclear chromatin were dense and in lump at different size, which located mainly in the nuclear membrane. The microvilli of columnar epithelial cells were sparse and local defects could be seen. CONCLUSION: The cytochrome C is released to kytoplasm via mitochondrial outer membrane, which activates the caspase 3 and leads to the apoptosis, and accordingly causes excessive apoptosis of epididymal tissues and as well as the changes of microstructure and ultrastructure. All these changes may be one of the important reasons of infertility resulting from VC.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of aging on the endothelial function of the penile corpus cavernosum in rats.

METHODSThe intracavernosal pressure (ICP) was compared in response to acetylcholine (Ach, endothelium-dependent vasodilator), sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor) and A23187 (a calcium ionophore)in the young (5 months old) and aged (20 months old) rats. In addition, the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)in penile cavernosal tissues was examined.

RESULTSAch-mediated ICP was significantly attenuated from the maximum of (54.8 +/- 4.2) in the young rats to (40.3 +/- 2.8) mm Hg in the aged ones (Ach = 0.1 mmol/L), P < 0.01. The ICP to SNP (0.1 mmol/L) was (58.9 +/- 4.7) mm Hg in the young rats and (51.7 +/- 5.3) mm Hg in the aged. No statistically significant difference was noted between the two groups, P > 0.05. The Ach-mediated ICP in the young rats was not significantly augmented from the maximum of (54.8 +/- 4.2) to (55.8 +/- 4.7) mm Hg in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 micromol/L), P > 0.05. However, A23187 significantly augmented Ach-mediated ICP in the aged from the maximum of (40.3 +/- 2.8) to (56.2 +/- 4.1) mm Hg, P < 0.01. Finally the activity of nitric oxide synthase was not significantly attenuated in either the aged or the young, P > 0.05.

CONCLUSIONThe endothelial function of the penile cavernosum declines with the advance of age. And endothelial dysfunction may play some role in the mechanisms of age-related erectile dysfunction.

Aging ; physiology ; Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penis ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore the mischief mechanism of oxidative stress in the varicocele (VC).

METHODSSerum was taken from the spermatic and peripheral veins on ligation of the internal spermatic veins in 28 infertile males with VC. Experimental VC was established in male rats by partial ligation of the left renal vein. And testis tissue was taken three months after operation. The nitric oxide(NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), xanthine oxidase (XO), lactic acid(Lac) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in the serum of 28 infertile males with VC and the testis tissue of the VC rats were detected by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSNO, NOS, XO and Lac in the serum of internal spermatic veins in the infertile males with VC were significantly higher than in the serum of peripheral veins in the VC patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). LDH was lower than that in peripheral serum. NO and XO of the left testis tissue in the VC rats were higher compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Lac in the left testis of the VC rats was lower than that in the control group rats (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNO, NOS and XO in the serum of the VC patients and in the testis tissues of the VC rats were increased, and Lac and LDH were changed obviously, which might not only disturb spermatogenesis, but also inhibit sperm motility. Therefore they might be one of the causes of infertility in VC patients.

Adult ; Animals ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Varicocele ; complications ; metabolism ; Xanthine Oxidase ; analysis

Objective To explore the lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) with clinically negative neck (cN0-PTC) and to discuss the necessity of prophylactic lateral neck lymph node dissection.Methods Clinical data of 651 cN0-PTC patients who underwnt surgical procedure in Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Jan.2012 to May.2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis.Results Of the 651 cN0-PTC patients,62.9％ had LNM (51.3％ in central neck,41.0％ in lateral neck,and 11.7％ with "skip" metastasis).The lateral neck metastasis rate was 50.9％ in men and 37.7％ in women (P＜0.05),61.9％ in patients with tumor diameter ＞1.0 cm and 25.9％ in patients with tumor diameter ≤ 1.0 cm (P＜0.001),47.2％ with multifocal cancer and 40.3％ with unifocal tumor(P＜0.05),63.1％ with extrathyroidal extention and 34.3％ without extention (P＜0.001),64.1％ with ≥3 positive nodes in central neck and 48.3％ with ＜3 positive nodes (P＜0.05),52.4％ with upper lobe cancer and 32.9％ with other locations(P＜0.001),41.0％ in patients ≤45 years and 40.9％ in patients ＞45 years(P＞0.05).Conclusion Central neck dissection should be performed in all cN0-PTC patients.Prophylactic lateral neck dissection should beselectively performed in cN0-PTC patients with following high-risk factors:male,tumor diameter ＞1.0 cm,multifocal cancer,extrathyroidal extention,≥ 3 positive nodes in central neck and upper lobe cancer.

Objective To investigate the related factors of central regional lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Methods The clinical and pathological fea tures of 550 cases of PTMC with clinical lymph node negative (cN0) were retrospectively analyzed.x2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors of CLNM.ROC curve was used to analyze tumor diameter and CLNM of PTMC.Results The CLNM rate was 35.6％.Univariate analysis showed that patients aging less than 45 y(x2=13.983,P＜0.001),with tumor diameter≥7 mm (x2=14.263,P＜0.001),with capsule invasion (x2=7.316,P=0.006),multifocality (x2=14.321,P＜0.05) and bilateral tumors (x2=9.265,P=0.002) were more likely to have CLNM.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ＜45 y,tumor diameter ≥7 mm,invasion of capsule and multifocal are all independent risk factors of CLNM for patients with PTMC.The optimal cutoff value of CLNM by diameter was 8 mm.Conclusion The CLNM of PTMC is related to many factors.When the age of the patient is less than 45 y,the diameter of the tumor is more than 7 mm,the invasion of the capsule and the multifocal lesion,the central lymph node dissection should be performed.

Induced-current electrical impedance tomography (ICEIT) is a newly hot research field in electrical impedance tomography (EIT) because of its advantages of contactless exciting. A preliminary ICEIT system with 3 excitation coils has been accomplished. It includes the constant current source (CCS), power amplifiers, excitation coils,physical phantom, measurement-mode setting circuit, signal measuring block, DAC and digital I/O card. The CCS is accomplished with Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technique. Its frequency is 46.875 KHz. Its output current is divided into 16 steps from 0.16 mA to 2.56 mA which can be set by computer. The three driving coils have the same diameter of 50 cm, each coil's inductance is 193.5 microH. The power amplifier can provide 800 mA driving current (f = 46.875 KHz) to the coil under +/- 25 V power supplying. The signal from measurement electrodes is switched to measurement channel which includes IA, BP filter and synchronized demodulator, then the analog signal is converted to digital signal by a 12b A/D Card and the data is acquired by DMA mode. Our experiments show that a distinguish change of signal from the surface electrodes can be acquired by the experimental system when different objects are placed in the physical phantom. And 3 x 31 signals for preliminary imaging have been acquired.
Algorithms ; Amplifiers, Electronic ; Electric Impedance ; Electrodes ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Electromagnetic Phenomena ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Tomography ; instrumentation ; methods