OBJECTIVE: To develop the visual uroflow scale (VUS), analyze the relationship of VUS score and index of free uroflowmetry, assess urination function preliminarily and improve the work efficiency in the clinic. METHODS: Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) patients, who attended the Department of Urology in Peking University People's Hospital from March 2016 to March 2017, were assessed for their urination function according to the Visual Uroflow Scale without help from clinicians before undertaking a free uroflowmetry test. And afterwards, a free uroflowmetry was undertaken, and variables including maximal flow rate (Qmax), the average flow rate (Qave) and voiding volume (VV) was obtained. During the study, 124 cases were collected and 53 cases met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the study cohort. The Spearman correlation analysis was used for analyzing the correlation of VUS scores with free uroflowmetry variables and age. The validity of VUS was evaluated. RESULTS: Most of the patients could choose the very figure matched with self-condition by first instinct without any help from the clinician. The data were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. In the present study, voiding time was positively correlated with the VUS score (correlation coefficient, 0.62, P < 0.05). In the present cohort, the patients chose the third and fourth figures to take longer time to urinate, implying worse LUTS situation. Flow time and VUS scores were positively correlated (correlation coefficient, 0.61, P < 0.05). The patients with higher VUS scores would spend more time on urinate, no matter how long urinary hesitation was. Both Qmax and Qave were negatively correlated with the VUS score (correlation coefficient －0.54, －0.62, P < 0.05). The study illustrated that the VUS score suggested that the Qmax basically and further reflected the urination function. And its relationship to age revealed the decreased urination function of aging male, which had reached a consensus. CONCLUSION Development of VUS has helped the clinician assess the urination function preliminarily at the first time. Patients are assessed for a VUS score before getting surgery or receiving the drug for treatment, and can be re-assessed after. The VUS score can provide an objective quantitative basis to evaluate the treatment efficacy. In addition, considering that it is convenient, timesaving and easy to understand, the VUS is available for follow-up.
Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Urination ; Urodynamics

AIMTo prepare fluorescein sodium (FS) cationic liposomes and investigate the influence of cationic lipid (DC-chol) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecule weight (MW) on cationic liposome incorporation efficiency, cellular delivery and fluidity of liposome membrane.

METHODSUsing FS as a model material for encapsulation, the liposomes were prepared and separated (by sephadex G-50 1 cm x 20 cm column), and the liposome incorporation efficiencies was measured. The interaction between the FS and cationic liposomes was investigated by measuring the change of fluorescent spectrum. The cellular uptake of different liposome forms by choosing HepG2 2.2.15 as an in vitro cell culture assay model, and the influence of PEG on the fluidity of liposome membrane with the technique of fluorescence polarization were investigated.

RESULTSCationic lipid and different PEGs showed great effects on increasing liposome incorporation efficiency (from 0.64% to 86.57%), cellular uptake (from 2.18% to 48.46%) and fluidity of liposome membrane. The effect of PEG was MW dependent, and with the increase of MW, the incorporation efficiency and transfection was improved, and the fluidity of liposome membrane increased.

CONCLUSIONAddition of cationic lipid and high MW PEG into cationic liposomes can enhance the cellular delivery and fluidity of cationic liposomes. Also, they can improve the incorporation efficiency of cationic liposomes.

Cholesterol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Fluorescein ; Hepatoblastoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Molecular Weight ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Acrylamide is a common chemical material, extensively used in industry and scientific experiments. Recently, it has been reported that starchy food cooked at high temperature can produce acrylamide. Acrylamide monomer has several toxic effects and the extensive concern for its toxicity has arisen with the finding of acrylamide formation in some processed foods. Researches have shown that acrylamide monomer can cause reproductive toxicity, including toxic effects on male reproductive behavior, male reproductive endocrine function and spermatogenesis. The mechanisms may include the effects of acrylamide on Leydig cells, the formation of motor protein/ chromosomal/DNA alkylation and damage by oxidative stress.
Acrylamide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing human receptor activity modified protein 1 (hRAMP1) by adenovirus vector on infarction related inflammation and cardiac repair in a rabbit model of myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSThirty rabbits underwent coronary artery ligation for 60 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion and divided into MSC(hRAMP1) group (intravenously injection of MSCs transfected with adenovirus vector encoding hRAMP1 gene enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP, n = 10), MSC(null) group (MSCs transfected with adenovirus vector encoding only EGFP without hRAMP1 gene, n = 10) and control group (equally volume of phosphate buffered saline, PBS, n = 10). The plasma level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were quantified by ELISA assay at before and 1, 3, 7, 28 days after induction of MI. The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and hRAMP1 in infracted myocardium were measured by Western blot at 1, 3, 7, 28 day following MI. The area of MI and collagen deposition and fibrosis were evaluated by TTC staining and Masson staining, respectively.

RESULTSArea of MI and collagen content were significantly reduced in MSC(hRAMP1) group compared those in MSC(null) and control group [(10.1 ± 2.9)% vs. (30.6 ± 2.7)% and (22.5 ± 3.2)%, P < 0.05]. Myocardial expression of NF-κB and plasma TNF-α[7 days after transplantation: (97.2 ± 6.7) pg/ml vs. (207.6 ± 12.7) pg/ml and (153.2 ± 9.9) pg/ml, P < 0.05] were also lower while plasma level of IL-10 [7 days after transplantation: (238.5 ± 17.5) pg/ml vs. (177.3 ± 19.8) pg/ml and (244.6 ± 27.3) pg/ml, P < 0.05] was significantly higher in MSC(hRAMP1) group than in MSC(null) and control group.

CONCLUSIONMSCs overexpression hRAMP1 could further reduce area of MI possibly through inhibiting the myocardial expression of NF-κB and reducing the plasma TNF-α level and raising plasma IL-10 level.

Amino Acid Motifs ; Animals ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1 ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

In this study, it is to compare the effectiveness of prevention against and treatment of doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity by dexrazoxane and schisandrin B (Sch B) in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following 6 groups: normal saline group, DOX group, DOX+DEX group, DOX+Sch B (80 mg x kg(-1)) group, DOX+Sch B (40 mg x kg(-1)) group and DOX+Sch B (20 mg x kg(-1)) group. The results showed that Sch B could combat the increase of myocardial enzymes in peripheral blood, decrease of the enzyme activity of myocardial tissue antioxidant enzymes and disorders of systolic and diastolic function of heart in rats intravenously injected with doxorubicin (15 mg x kg(-1)). Sch B was better than DEX in protecting rat against DOX-induced the symptoms. Sch B could protect rat against DOX-induced acute cardiomyopathy and has clinical potential applications.
Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Cardiomyopathies ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Cardiotoxicity ; drug therapy ; Cyclooctanes ; therapeutic use ; Dexrazoxane ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Lignans ; therapeutic use ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Polycyclic Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo clarify the mechanism by which interleukin?22 (IL?22) promotes the proliferation of fibroblast?like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSFLS were isolated from the synovial tissues of patients with RA and identified by immunohistochemistry for vimentin/CD68. The cells were subcultured and incubated with different concentrations of IL?22 for 24, 48, or 72 h, and their proliferation was examined using MTT assay. After treatment of the cells with IL?22 and AG490, alone or in combination, the expressions of the total and phosphorylated proteins of STAT3, ERK1/2 and P38 were detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSIL?22 significantly increased the proliferation of FLS in a dose?dependent manner (P<0.05). The total protein of STAT3 in the cells showed no significant changes with extended time of IL?22 treatment (P=0.68), but the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 protein increased significantly (P<0.001). The total and phosphorylated proteins of ERK1/2 and P38 underwent no significant changes after IL?22 treatment (P>0.05). A combined treatment with 50 ng/mL IL?22 and 100 µmol/L AG490 resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation of FLS as compared with IL?22 treatment alone (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONIL?22 can dose?dependently promote the proliferation of FLS from patients with RA by inducing phosphorylation of STAT3 protein but not through ERK1/2 or P38 signal pathway.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate different methods by treating water-decocted liquid of 6 Chinese medical herbs and 4 co-prescription respectively with alcohol, ultrafilter, macroporousresin and clarifier.

METHODThe contents of target component in those extracts were determined with HPLC or titration, and quantitative and qualitative determination of the impurity components, such as polysaccharide and protein, was made.

RESULTEach method showed its advantages and disavantages.

CONCLUSIONDifferent method can be chosen according to the clinical and preparation demands or the characteristic of components.

Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; analysis

OBJECTIVEThrough maternal inheritance, to explore the genetic structures and relationships of Dong, Gelao, Tujia and Yi ethnic population in Guizhou of China.

METHODSThe mtDNA D-loop hypervariable segment I (HVS I ) in 108 samples of four ethnic populations were sequenced. Then, the nucleotide diversity was estimated and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by Neighbor-Joining method.

RESULTSIn the detected 497 bp fragments, 86 polymorphic sites were found, and 82 different haplotypes were identified. The phylogenetic tree of four ethnic populations showed: Yi, Tujia and Gelao clustered more closely than Dong did.

CONCLUSIONYi and Tujia population are very closely related, the reason may be that they either originate from a common ancestry or frequently undergo the gene exchanges and admixtures. The genetic relationship between Tujia and Gelao population is nearer, perhaps because they have settled in the adjacent regions. Dong and Yi population show the farthest genetic relationship, this is probably due to their different historical origins and geographic segregation.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Objective To explore the therapeutic potential of miR-21 in rat model of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF).Methods Lentivirus-mediated miR-21 (LV-miR-21) was constructed successfully in vitro with molecular biology methods.Rats were divided into 4 groups named control group,model group,blank vector group and miR-21 group.Rat models of chem0therapy-induced POF were established in the latter 3 groups by intraperitoneal injection ofcytoxan (CTX).Bilateral ovaries of rats in miR-21 group were injected with LV-miR-21,of rats in blank vector group were injected with lentivirus vector,and rats in model group received no treatment.At 1,15,30,45 and 60 days after the last injection,blood sample was collected,the rats were then sacrificed and the ovaries were removed.The estrous cycle was observed by vaginal smears.The E2 level was detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay,and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level was detected by homologous double antibody radiation immunoassay.Ovary weights were measured,and the follicle count was conducted through observing paraffin section under microscope.The apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells was analyzed by TUNEL assay.Results During 15-30 days,30-45 days and 45-60 days after the last injection,regular estrous cycle was recovered respectively in 8,5 and 3 rats in miR-21 group.At the 15th,30th,45th and 60th day after the last injection,the E2 level was higher in miR-21 group than in model group and blank vector group,but the FSH level showed the opposite trend (P=0.000).At the 45th and 60th day after the last injection,the follicle numbers at all stages increased markedly in miR-21 group than in model group and blank vector group (P=0.000).At the 30th,45th and 60th day after the last injection,the ovary weights were higher in miR-21 group than in model group and blank vector group.At the 15th,30th,45th and 60th day after the last injection,the apoptosis rate of ovarian granulosa cell were significantly lower in miR-21 group than in model group and blank vector group (P=0.000).Conclusion Up-regulation of miR-21 expression may partly recover the ovarian structure and function damaged by CTX.

AIM To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on hearing function,cochlear morphology and autophagy-related protein expression in a rat model of presbycusis.METHODS Forty-five rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the low,medium and high dose G.biloba extract groups(10,20 and 30 mg/kg),with 9 rats in each group.The rat model of presbycusis was established by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg D-galactose(D-gal).Eight weeks after the corresponding administration,the rats had their changes of hearing threshold detected by the auditory brainstem evoked potential(ABR);their morphological changes of cochlear hair cells,stria vascularis(SV)and spiral ganglion cells observed by HE staining;their number of hair cells inside and outside the cochlea detected by immunofluorescence staining;their ultrastructure changes of cochlear hair cells observed by transmission electron microscopy;and their expression of autophagy-related proteins in cochlea tissue detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group displayed increased ABR threshold(P<0.01);more severely damaged inner and outer hair cells,spiral ganglion cells and SV,decreased SV thickness and numbers of spiral ganglion cells,inner and outer hair cells and autophagosomes(P<0.01);decreased protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ and ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ in cochlear tissue(P<0.01),and higher P62 protein expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the medium and high dose G.biloba extract groups shared decreased ABR thresholds(P<0.01);improved morphology of inner and outer hair cells and SV in the cochlea,normalized,morphology of spiral ganglion cells,and increased SV thickness and the numbers of spiral ganglion cells,inner and outer hair cells and autophagosomes(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased protein expressions of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ and the ratio of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ in the cochlea(P<0.01),and decreased P62 protein expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION The protective effects G.biloba extract on hearing function and cochlear cells in the rat model of presbycusis may be associated with the up-regulated expression of Beclin1 and LC3 Ⅱ proteins and down-regulated P62 protein expression in cochlear tissues.