OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of sperm single-stranded DNA breaks (SSB) and double-stranded DNA breaks (DSB) in infertile men, explore the association of DSB with male infertility, and provide a new observation index and idea for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODSThis study involved 60 infertile men (infertility group) and 30 normal healthy males with infertile wives (control group). We comparatively analyzed the seminal parameters of the two groups, determined sperm concentration and viability using the computer aided sperm analysis system, measured the sperm survival rate by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test, examined sperm morphology by Diff-Quick staining, and detected sperm DNA damage by two-tail comet assay.

RESULTSNine two-tail comet models were established for detecting sperm DNA integrity. Comparisons between the fertility and control groups showed that the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was (33.8 ± 13.1) vs (16.3 ± 7.9)% (P < 0.01), the SSB-DFI was (19.2 ± 11.4) vs (14.9 ± 7.6)% (P > 0.05), the SSB-DFI/DFI was (56.8 ± 32.4) vs (91.4 ± 27.8)% (P < 0.01), the DSB-DFI was (23.9 +13.4) vs (6.1 ± 2.7)% (P < 0.01), and the DSB-DFI/DFI was (70.8 ± 19.5) vs (37.4 ± 11.3)% (P < 0.01). The optimal cut-off value of DSB-DFI/DFI in the diagnosis of male infertility was 39.5%, with the AUG, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.969, 98.3%, and 90%; that of DSB-DFI was 15.85%, with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.912, 86.7%, and 80%; and that of DFI was 18.65%; with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.861, 90%, 70%, respectively. In the infertile men, neither SSB-DFI nor SSB-DFI/DFI exhibited any correlation with semen parameters (P > 0.05); DFI was correlated negatively with the percentage of progressively motile sperm, sperm survival rate, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but not correlated with sperm concentration (P > 0.05); both DSB-DFI and DSB-DFI/DFI showed a negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm survival rate, and the percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDouble-stranded, rather than single-stranded DNA breaks, may be a factor inducing male infertility. The type of sperm DNA strand damage is of much reference value for the assessment of male fertility.

Case-Control Studies ; Comet Assay ; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded ; DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fertility ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Staining and Labeling

In recent years, root rot diseases of Chinese herbal medicine have been posing grave threat to the development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. This article presents a review on the occurring situation of the root rot disease, including the occurrence of the disease, the diversity of the pathogens, the regional difference in dominant pathogens,and the complexity of symptoms and a survey of the progress in bio-control of the disease using antagonistic microorganisms. The paper also discusses the existing problems and future prospects in the research.
Animals ; Antibiosis ; Bacteria ; growth & development ; Fungi ; physiology ; Nematoda ; growth & development ; Pest Control, Biological ; methods ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; parasitology ; prevention & control ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; parasitology ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology ; parasitology

Aim To investigate the effect of sphingo-sine kinase 1 (SphK1 )on unilateral ureteral obstruc-tion(UUO)-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis and ex-plore the possible mechanism.Methods The CD-1 mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham-op-eration group(Sham),PF-543 treatment control group (Sham +PF-543),model group(UUO)and PF-543 treatment group(UUO +PF-543).On 1 ,3,7 and 1 4 d after operation,eight mice were selected randomly from each group and sacrificed.The protein expressions of SphK1 ,mature TGF-β1 ,FN,ColⅠ,LC3,Beclin1 ,Atg5 and Atg1 2 were observed by Western blot.The histo-logical changes were examined by Masson′s trichrome stain.Immunhistochemistry was performed to measure the levels of expression of SphK1 ,FN and Col Ⅰ. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the autophagic body.Results SphK1 expression and autophagy were both upregulated in a mouse model of kidney fibrosis induced by UUO. Meanwhile, in-creased mature TGF-β1 and deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM)were observed in tubulointerstitial areas compared with sham-operated mice.After intraperito-neal injection with the SphK1 specific inhibitor PF-543 in UUO mice,enhanced expression of SphK1 and acti-vated autophagy were significantly abrogated.Howev-er,aggravation of renal fibrosis was detected when SphK1 inhibitor PF-543 was applied to suppress SphK1 expression in UUO mice.Conclusion SphK1 activa-tion is renoprotective through the induction of autoph-agy in the pathogenesis of kidney fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the perioperative characteristics and changing trends of gastric electrical activity of thoracic (tube) stomach in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with esophageal cancer who were admitted to the Sichuan Cancer Hospital between March 2013 and November 2013 were prospectively analyzed.All the eligible patients underwent esophageal cancer resection by Ivor-Lewis according to the inclusion criteria.The electrogastrograms of patients were recorded at preoperative day 1 and at postoperative day 3,7, 11 and 30.The electrogastrograms of patients at preoperative day 1 were used as the control.The parameters of electrogastrogram were analyzed including main frequency, coefficient of dominant frequency instablility, main power, postprandial/preprandial power ratio, percentage of normal gastric slow wave,percentage of slow gastric slow wave and percentage of tachycardia gastric slow wave.Measurement data with normal distritution were presented as x ± s, and measurement data with skew distritution were presented as M (Qn).The postoperative time and pre-and post-prandial electrogastrograms were compared by the repeated measures two-way ANOVA.The comparison between groups were evaluated with the LSD test and analysis of variance.Results Thirty patients were screened for eligibility with a mean age of 62 years (range, 49-75 years), including 26 males and 4 females.The pre-and post-prandial main frequencies were changed from 2.83 ± 0.13 and 3.01 ± 0.17 before operation to 2.66 ± 0.10 and 2.82 ± 0.10 at postoperative day 30 with coherent changing trend.The main frequencies at postoperative each time points were significantly lower than those before operation while postprandial above indicators were higher than preprandial those, showing a significant increasing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =285.62, P ＜ 0.05).There was no interaction between the time and meal (F =0.22, P ＞ 0.05).The pre-and post-prandial coefficients of dominant frequency instablility were changed from 0.133 ±0.031 and 0.045 ±0.019 before operation to 0.150 ±0.043 and 0.115 ±0.010 at postoperative day 30 with coherent changing trend, and coefficients of dominant frequency instablility at postoperative each time points were significantly higher than those before operation while postprandial above indicators were lower than preprandial those, showing a significant reducing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =16.51, P ＜ 0.05).The pre-and post-prandial main powers were changed from (85 ± 15) μV and (149 ± 23) μV before operation to (74 ± 9) μμV and (98 ± 10) μV at postoperative day 30, and main powers at postoperative each time points were significantly lower than those before operation, showing a significant increasing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =48.45, P ＜ 0.05).There was interaction between the time and meal (F =7.39, P ＜ 0.05).The postprandial/preprandial power ratio was changed from 3.00 ± 0.35 before operation to 2.52 ± 0.25 at postoperative day 30, and postprandial/preprandial power ratios at postoperative each time points were significantly lower than those before operation, showing a significant increasing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =26.66, P ＜ 0.05).The pre-and post-prandial percentages of normal gastric slow wave were changed from 81％ ± 6％ and 94％ ± 5％ before operation to 57％ ± 5％ and 70％ ± 5％ at postoperative day 30 with coherent changing trend, and percentages of normal gastric slow wave at postoperative each time points were significantly lower than those before operation while postprandial above indicators was lower than preprandial those, showing a significant increasing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =49.36,P ＜0.05).There was no interaction between the time and meal (F =0.24, P ＞ 0.05).The pre-and postprandial percentages of slow gastric slow wave were changed from 17％ ± 7％ and 4％ ± 4％ before operation to 32％±4％ and 21％±4％ at postoperative day 30 with coherent changing trend, and percentages of slow gastric slow wave at postoperative each time points were significantly higher than those before operation while preprandial above indicators were higher than postprandial those, showing a significant reducing trend with the passage of postoperative time (F =46.54, P ＜ 0.05).There was interaction between the time and meal (F =18.12, P ＜ 0.05).The pre-and post-prandial tachycardia gastric slow wave percentages were changed from 1.55％ (1.04％,2.21％) and 1.95％ (1.74％, 4.22％) before operation to 8.97％ (5.76％, 12.02％) and 12.41％ (8.04％,16.85％) at postoperative day 30 without completely coherent changing trend, and percentages of tachycardia gastric slow wave at postoperative each time points were significantly higher than those before operation while postprandial above indicators were higher than preprandial those, showing a significant difference between before operation and postoperative day 3 (Z =11.47, 13.28, P ＜ 0.05) and no significant difference among the postoperative day 7, 11, 30 (Z =1.88, 0.31, 0.03, P ＞ 0.05).There was no interaction between the time and meal (F=0.85, P＜0.05).Conclusions After the esophagectomy, gastric electrical activity of thoracic (tube) stomach is also retained before and after the meal.There are significant differences among the main frequency, main power, coefficients of dominant frequency instablility, postprandial/preprandial power ratio,percentage of normal gastric slow wave, percentage of slow gastric slow wave, percentage of tachycardia gastric slow wave of thoracis (tube) stomach, they have changed dynamically in the perioperative period.

Objective To explore the relationship between the anastomotic plane and gastric esophageal reflux by analysizing three different anastomotic plan pressure and esophageal 24 h dynamic pH.Methods From June 2011 to March 2012, 45 patients with esophageal cancer had undergone radical surgery.According to the different locations of esophageal carcinoma, we divided patients into three groups(cervical esophagogastrostomy group, above aortic arches for esophagogastrostomy group, low aortic arches for esophagogastrostomy group).we monitored the LESP, esophageal wet swallowing peristalsis amplitude and 24 h dynamic pH value two days before surgery, and monitored the anastomotic plane pressure, residual esophageal wet swallowing peristalsis amplitude and 24 h dynamic pH value 1 month and 2 months after surgery in the same way.Results Three groups' difference of LESP, esophageal wet swallowing peristalsis amplitude and percentage of total time of 24 h dynamic pH ＜4in preoperative was not statistically significant.The difference of esophagogastrostomy plane pressure in postoperative was not statistically significant, but the wet swallowing peristalsis amplitude and percentage of total time of 24 h dynamic pH ＜ 4 in postoperative was statistically significant.Three groups' difference of LESP(compared with esophagogastrostomy plane pressure), wet swallowing peristalsis amplitude and percentage of total time of 24 h dynamic pH ＜ 4 between preoperative and postoperative was also statistically significant.Conclusion For patients with esophageal neoplasms, we should completely resection the tumor, and remain esophagus as much as possible.

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) on myocardial tissues of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

METHODTotally 36 Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Danlou tablet group, and TYTZ groups with doses of 2.0, 1.0, 0.5 g x kg(-1), with six in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome in Chinese mini-swine. After the operation, they were administered with drugs for 8 weeks. The SOD activity and MDA content of each group were observed at the 0th week (before the experiment), the 2nd week after the high-fat diet (before the operation or drug administration) , the 6th week after the high-fat diet (4 weeks after the drug administration) and the 10th week after the high-fat diet (8 weeks after the drug administration). Meanwhile, the myocardial enzymogram test and the HE staining pathological observation were performed at the end of the experiment. The changes in the myocardial cell ultra-structure were observed under transmission electron microscope.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant decrease in serum SOD activity and notable increase in MDA content from the 2nd week to the end of experiment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). In the 10th week, the CK, LDH and CK-MB levels in serum also significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), with obvious structural abnormality in myocardial tissue pathologic morphology and ultra-structure. Compared with the model group, TYTZ groups showed specific increase in serum SOD activity and oblivious decrease in the MDA level (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, TYTZ could significantly decrease serum CK and LDH levels in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), attenuate the ischemia injury of myocardial tissue, and improve the ultra-structure of cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONTYTZ shows an obvious protective effect on the myocardial injury in Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. Its mechanism is related to the resistance against free radical oxidation injury and the inhibition of the lipid per-oxidation.

Animals ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mucus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the efficacy on distant version of naked eye in the patients of juvenile myopia between rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation of acupuncture.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases (240 eyes) were randomized into a rotating manipulation group and a lifting-thrusting manipulation group, 60 cases (120 eyes) in each group. Additionally, a corrective lenses group, 60 cases (120 eyes), was set up as the control. In both manipulation groups, Cuanzhu (BL 2),Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Sizhukong (TE 23), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Fengchi (GB 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured, but stimulated with rotating manipulation and lifting-thrusting manipulation respectively three times per week, 10 times as a treatment session and totally one session was required. In the corrective lenses group, the glasses were applied at daytime. The clinical efficacy and the changes in distant vision of naked eye before and after treatment were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 87.5% (105/120) in the rotating manipulation group, which was better than 69.2% (83/120) in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (P < 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved apparently in the rotating manipulation group and the lifting-thrusting manipulation group after treatment (both P < 0.05). But it was not improved in the corrective lenses group (P > 0.05). The distant vision of naked eye was improved more apparently after treatment in the rotating manipulation group as compared with that in the lifting-thrusting manipulation group (0.75 +/- 0.23 vs 0.68 +/- 0.24, P < 0.05). For 96 cases (192 eyes) with acupuncture treatment, in 3-month follow-up, 87.0% (167/192) of the cases maintained the stable vision as the original level and 13.0% (25/192) of them were reduced in the vision In the acupuncture groups, it was found that the improvement of distant vision of naked eye was more obvious after treatment with younger age, better basic vision and shorter duration of sickness (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture achieves the positive and sustainable clinical effect on juvenile myopia, and the results of rotating manipulation are superior to that of lifting-thrusting manipulation. Age, basic vision and duration of sickness impact the clinical efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Myopia ; therapy ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the effects of various liposomes formulations and preparation methods on the stability of acyclovir palmitate (ACV-C16) liposomes on storage at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C over a 6 months period.

METHODSThe mean particle size, Zeta potential, pH and leaking ratio of ACV-C16 liposomes were the parameters chosen to indicate the stability of liposomes. All of the parameters were compared among various lipid compositions [egg lecithin/cholesterol/hosphatidylserine (PC/CH/PS), egg lecithin/cholesterol/stearylamine (PC/CH/SA), egg lecithin/cholesterol/cholesteryl sulphate (PC/CH/CS), bovine brain ceramides/cholesterol/palmitic acid/cholesteryl sulphate (CM/CH/PA/CS)], different preparation methods (film dispersing, reverse phase evaporation, dehydration/rehydration), charges (positive, negative), as well as among multilamellar vesicles liposomes (MLV), large unilamellar vesicles liposomes (LUV) and dehydration/rehydration vesicles liposomes (DRV).

RESULTSAn analysis of various parameters led to the conclusion that the stability of liposomes followed the order of PC/CH/CS > CM/CH/PA/CS > PC/CH/PS > PC/CH/SA at the same storage conditions; the positively charged system showed the most unstable delivery system of liposomes as compared to the other three systems. As far as stability was concerned, LUV liposomes proved to be superior to MLV liposomes and DRV liposomes, and the modified reverse phase evaporation method of Szoka provided the best preparation method. The stability in systems was enhanced when systems were stored at 4 degrees C as compared to storage at 25 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONThe stability of liposomes was significantly interrelated with lipid composition of various liposomes, preparation method and different storage conditions.

Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Stability ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Palmitates ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

A new algorithm using the geometric active contour model with the fusion of color and intensity priors to segment medical images is presented in this paper. The prior knowledge used here are firstly defined in different color spaces and represented as thresholds searched by the genetic algorithm. Then the prior knowledge is merged into active contour model with its contour evolution by the level set technique. The experiments on clinical marrow images and mammograms have successfully demonstrated its superiority of the proposed algorithm over the existing active contour models which deal with image gradient information.
Algorithms ; Artificial Intelligence ; Color ; Image Enhancement ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics