Aim To study the effect of normal glucose tolerance fecal microbiota transplantation ( FMT) on the gut microbiota in mice with insulin resistance(IR) and its correlation with FGF21 , and to explore the possible mechanisms of gut microbiota affecting IR.Methods After the establishment of IR model with high-fat diet feeding, 30 successful IR model mice were randomly divided into three groups; insulin resistance ( IR ) group, IR + metformin( Met) group, and IR + glucose tolerance normal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)group, and blank control(Control) group, with 10 mice in each group.After eight weeks of administration, the body mass and fasting blood glucose of mice at 8th week were recorded, then the number of target bacteria in fecal samples and the mRNA expression levels of FGF21 and its receptors in liver, colon and ileum tissues were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR( RT-qPCR).Results ® Compared with control group, the body mass and fasting blood glucose increased in IR group mice, while the mRNA expression levels of FGF21/p-Klolho/FGFRl/FGFR4 in liver, colon and ileum tissues were down-regulated.The levels of Bacteroules and R.sarlorii were reduced in fecal samples, and the levels of P.distasonis, M.schaedleri and R.gnavus increased.These indices were reverted by Met and FMT treatment.(2) The expression of FGF21 was negatively correlated with FBG, P.distasonis , M.schaedleri and R.gnavus, and positively correlated with Bacteroides and B.sartorii.Conclusions FMT can increase the expression level of FGF21 and regulate gut microbiota, and the two are closely related , which may be one of the important mechanisms of FMT in improving insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of laparoscopic occlusion of the internal spermatic vein with Hem-o-Lock clips and retroperitoneal ligation of the spermatic vessel (Palomo procedure) in the treatment of primary varicocele.

METHODSWe included in this study 42 varicocele patients treated by laparoscopic occlusion of the internal spermatic vein with Hem-o-Lock clips (Hem-o-Lock group) and another 38 treated by Palomo procedure (Palomo group). We recorded the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, bowel function recovery time, post-operative complications, as well as such seminal parameters as sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm abnormality and the percentage of grade a + b sperm 6 months after surgery. We measured the interior diameter and reflux time of the spermatic vein and the ratio of flow velocity to the diameter using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), and observed the disappearance and recurrence of clinical symptoms.

RESULTSIntraoperative blood loss was markedly less and the operation time, postoperative hospital stay and intestinal function recovery time significantly shorter in the Hem-o-Lock than in the Palomo group (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). Six months after surgery, seminal parameters and the results of CDFI were significantly improved in both the Hem-o-Lock and Palomo groups (P<0.05), but with no significant difference between the two (P>0.05). No recurrence was found in either group at 18 months.

CONCLUSIONBoth laparoscopic spermatic vein occlusion with Hem-o-Lock clips and Palomo procedure can improve the semen quality and relieve the clinical symptoms of primary varicocele patients, but the former is even more preferable for its shorter operation time and hospital stay, less intraoperative bleeding, fewer complications, better clinical outcomes, and lower rate of recurrence.

Adult ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Veins ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of microRNA-211-5p (miR-211-5p) in regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and collagen synthesis of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFBs) via the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad homolog 2 (Smad2) signaling pathway. Methods HSFBs were randomly divided into control, miR-NC, miR-211-5p mimic, anti-miR-211-5p, and miR-211-5p mimic + SB431542 (TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway inhibitor) groups. After 72 hours of continuous culture, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-211-5p expression, western blot was employed to assess TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein levels, methyl-thiazoldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to measure cell proliferation, flow cytometry was utilized to analyze apoptosis rates, Transwell chambers were applied to evaluate cell invasion and migration, and western blot was again utilized to quantify type I collagen (Col-Ⅰ) and type Ⅲ collagen (Col-Ⅲ) protein expressions. An animal model of hypertrophic scars was established in rats using a constant temperature and pressure electric scalding apparatus. Following successful modeling, rats in each group received tail vein injections of miR-NC or miR-211-5p mimic. Scar healing was assessed, and histopathological changes in scar tissue were observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Results Compared with the control and miR-NC groups, the miR-211-5p mimic group exhibited increased miR-211-5p, TGF-β1, and Smad2 protein expressions, enhanced cell proliferation, reduced invasion and migration capabilities, decreased apoptosis rates, and elevated Col-Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ protein expressions (P < 0.05). Conversely, the anti-miR-211-5p group displayed opposite trends, and significant differences were observed between the anti-miR-211-5p and miR-211-5p mimic groups for the aforementioned indicators (P < 0.05). Compared to the miR-NC group, the miR-211-5p mimic group had higher scar healing rates and fibroblast counts (P < 0.05). Compared to the miR-211-5p mimic group, the miR-211-5p mimic + SB431542 group showed reduced TGF-β1, Smad2 protein expressions, and weakened cell invasion and migration capabilities (P < 0.05). Conclusion MiR-211-5p may regulate proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and collagen synthesis of HSFBs by activating the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of SOX4 gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical features and prognosis, and to explore the role of this gene in acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS: The real-time guantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of SOX4 gene in bone marrow of 96 patients with newby diagmsed AML, and the features and prognosis was analyzed. RESULTS: The level of SOX4 expression in the 96 AML patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P<0.01), and the expression of SOX4 gene was not significanly different between M1-M5 (P<0.05). The expression of SOX4 gene was no significanly different between different sex, nationality, and remission after chemotherapy (P>0.05). In AML patients the SOX4 gene expression level did not significantly correlated with the white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count primitive cell count, reticulocyte count and other laboratory indexes ( P>0.05), while which correlated with the overall survival (OS) (P<0.01) and erent-free survival (EFS) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The high expression of SOX4 gene affects the survival time of patients (OS, EFS), suggesting that may be one of the unfavorable prognostic factors for the AML patients.
Bone Marrow ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Leukocyte Count ; Prognosis ; SOXC Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

In recent years, with the rapid increase of smoking in the world, male reproductive toxicity induced by cigarette smoking (CS) has attracted increasing attention. Studies have shown that long-term heavy smoking can lead to testicular damage in men, resulting in decreased semen quality, but the specific mechanism is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the regulation mechanism of the Bcl-2 signaling pathway in rat testicular apoptosis induced by CS exposure. SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into high, medium and low CS exposure groups (30, 20 and 10 non-filtered cigarettes/ day, respectively) and control groups. The rats in each group were treated with static exposure methods and were anesthetized after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks-CS exposure, respectively. The testicular organ coefficient was calculated, and the testicular histopathological changes and apoptosis in rats were detected. The mRNA and protein expressions of Apaf-1, Caspase-9, Bim, Bcl-w and Bak in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were detected. Results indicated that with the increase of exposure dose and duration, the weight of rats in exposure groups gradually decreased, the testis in exposure groups showed obvious pathological changes, and the testicular organ coefficient gradually decreased. Compared with the control groups, the testicular organ coefficient in the middle, high-dose groups at the 8th week and all groups at the 12th week significantly decreased (P < 0. 05). The number of positive apoptotic cells in the testis increased with the prolongation of exposure time, and it showed statistical difference since six weeks (P < 0. 05). After 12 weeks of CS exposure, the mRNA transcription and protein expression of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 in the rat testis were significantly up-regulated compared with control groups (P < 0. 05). The mRNA expression level of the pro-apoptotic gene Bak gradually decreased in the early stage of exposure, and increased since the eighth week of exposure; the protein expression of Bak was up-regulated, and mRNA transcription and protein expression of Bak were significantly up-regulated at 12-week exposure groups compared with control groups (P<0. 05). The mRNA expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-w was significantly down-regulated since the 6th week of exposure (P < 0. 05), the protein of Bcl-w was significantly down-regulated since the 12th week of exposure (P < 0. 05). The mRNA and protein expression of BH3-only gene Bim was up-regulated, but there was no statistical difference compared with control groups (P > 0. 05). In conclusion, long-term heavy smoking activated the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and induced testicular irreversible apoptotic damage. These results provide a scientific basis for further study of the molecular mechanism of male reproductive injury induced by cigarette smoking.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of low- and high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign lesions of the gallbladder. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed in 110 outpatients with pathologically confirmed benign lesions of the gallbladder in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016. All patients were examined with low-frequency ultrasound, and the results were recorded. Then, they were examined with a combination of low- and high-frequency ultrasound, and the results were recorded. The rate of agreement with pathological diagnosis was compared between the two examination methods. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsIn the 110 patients, 83 had the low-frequency ultrasound results in accordance with pathological diagnosis; 102 had the low- and high-frequency ultrasound results in accordance with pathological diagnosis, consisting of 70 cases of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (68.63%) and 32 cases of adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder (31.37%). Eight (7.3%) of the 110 patients were misdiagnosed by the combined examination. The rate of agreement with pathological diagnosis of the combined examination (9273%) was significantly higher than that of low-frequency ultrasound (75.45%) (χ2=12.666, P=0.001). ConclusionsA combination of low- and high-frequency ultrasound helps increase the diagnostic rate for benign lesions of the gallbladder.