OBJECTIVETo appraise the effect of single- and two-layer Percoll density gradient centrifugation in sperm separation.

METHODSTwenty semen specimens underwent single-(50%) and two-layer (90% and 45%) density gradient centrifugation, respectively. The sperm class analyzer (SCA) was used to analyze sperm density, motility and dynamic parameters and round cell density before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter separation, the sperm recovery rate of the single-layer method was (65.5 +/- 12.8)%, significantly higher than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.01). The percentages of grade a sperm of the single- and two-layer method were significantly higher than pre-treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), that of the single-layer was significantly lower than that of the two-layer method (P < 0.05), but the percentage of grade c sperm of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-treatment, the percentage of grade a + b sperm of the two-layer method was significantly higher (P < 0.05), while that of the single-layer method showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), and the round cell density of both the methods was significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), with no significant differences between the two methods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe single-layer method yields a higher rate of sperm recovery and causes little change in the sperm motility, while the two-layer method effects a lower rate and significantly improves sperm motility. Both the methods can efficiently separate sperm from round cells, and each has its own advantages and its application value in in vitro treatment of sperm.

Cell Separation ; methods ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Povidone ; Silicon Dioxide ; Sperm Count ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of tadalafil on nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).

METHODSThirty-four patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED) were treated with oral tadalafil at the dose of 10 mg/3 d before bedtime. A month later, 14 of the patients were observed for NPT by nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA).

RESULTSThe parameters of erectile function significantly improved in the 14 patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOral administration of minute dose of tadalafil can improve NPT in organic ED patients.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Tadalafil

OBJECTIVETo investigate the composition, function, and regulatory mechanisms of the secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) gene in metastatic prostate cancer.

METHODSWe obtained the data about the whole genomic expression profiles on prostate cancer metastasis from the GEO database, and performed data-mining and bioinformatic analysis using BRB-Array Tools and such softwares as Protparam, MotifScan, SignalP 4.0, TMHMM, NetPhos2.0, PredictProtein, GO, KEGG, and STRING.

RESULTSTotally, 73 co-expressed differential genes in prostate cancer metastasis were identified, 21 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated (P <0.01). Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the highly expressed SPP1 gene encoded 314 amino acids and contained 2 N-glycosylation sites, 8 casein kinase II phosphorylation sites and 3 protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, playing essential roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) binding, ossification, osteoblast differentiation, cell adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction.

CONCLUSIONThe bioinformatic method showed a high efficiency in analyzing microarray data and revealing internal biological information. SPP1 may play an important role in prostate cancer metastasis and become a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer metastasis and a new target for its treatment.

Computational Biology ; Data Mining ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Microarray Analysis ; Osteopontin ; chemistry ; genetics ; secretion ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and laboratory features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

METHODSRetrospective investigation of 263 patients with CLL in our hospital between Feb. 2000 and Jan. 2007.

RESULTSThe median age was 60 years with male/female ratio of 2.17 : 1. Patients who were asymptomatic at diagnosis (35.4%) had low Rai grades. Fatigue and lymphadenopathy (54.8%) were the most common features at presentation. Infections, connective tissue diseases and secondary tumors frequently occurred in CLL. WBC counts were between (10 - 100) x 10(9)/L, with lymphocytes percentages more than 0.50 in 97.1% patients. Bone marrow was normal- to hyper-cellularity with lymphocytes percentages more than 0.300 in 99.4% patients. Diffuse infiltrations in bone marrow section were found in 72.2% patients. There were lower CD5 (85.1%) and higher CD25 (78.9%) positivities in the present series as compared with that in other reports. Hypogammaglobulinemia, especially hypo-IgM, usually occurred. Chromosome abnormality were rarely found by routine chromosome examination.

CONCLUSIONSThere were some clinical and laboratory characteristics different from that of abroad data. Further exploration of new markers is required for prognosis prediction and treatment choice.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo analyse the efficacy and safety of thalidomide (Thal) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSEffectiveness and adverse events of 102 MM patients treated with thalidomide at a median dosage of 200 mg/d. Thirteen cases were treated with Thal alone (group A), and 105 case with Thal in combination with other therapeutic agents (group B) were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT1) The response rate (RR) (CR + PR) was 65.4% for induction therapy in 52 cases and 45.5% for salvage therapy in 66 cases. RR in group B was higher than that in group A (58.1% versus 23.1/%, P= 0.017), and the non-response/progress (NR) rate was lower (15.2% versus 46.2%, P= 0.015). In group B, the NR rate was lower in 50 cases of newly diagnosed MM than in 55 cases of refractory or relapsed MM (6.0% versus 23.6%, P=0.012). In group B, RR between Thal+VAD or M, regimen (72 cases) and Thal + MP regimen (33 cases) was not statistically significant (62.5% versus 48.5%, P >0.05). 2) The median duration of response maintenance was 15.5 (1.0-58.0) months in 21 cases. 3) Among 97 patients with follow-up data, the estimated median duration of OS was 44 months in a median follow-up duration of 20 months and the accumulative time for use of Thal was 8 months. In univariate analysis,the accumulative duration for use of Thal 6 months, hemoglobin > or = 100 g/L and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 per smear were associated with longer OS (P = 0.0014, 0.0101, 0.019, respectively). 4) Multivariate analysis suggested that the accumulative time for use of Thal and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 were independent good prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.006, 0.036, respectively). 5) The adverse events of Thal were mostly endurable, the rate of thrombus events was lower than that reported in literature.

CONCLUSIONThalidomide alone or combined with chemotherapy is an useful therapy for MM. The accumulative time for use longer than 6 months may improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe ratio of psychological to organic ED changes with aging. This study aimed to analyze the results of nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) for ED patients of different age groups and their significance in the diagnosis of ED.

METHODSA total of 83 ED patients were divided into 4 age groups (< or = 29 yr, 30 -39 yr, 40 -49 yr and > or = 50 yr) and detected for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) by NEVA.

RESULTSThirty-four of the cases were diagnosed as organic ED, and the other 49 as psychological ED. With the increase of age, the former was increased from 30.3% in the < or = 29 yr group to 60.0% in the > or = 50 yr group, while the latter decreased from 69.7% to 40.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe percentage of organic ED tends to grow with the increase of age, while that of psychological ED is just the opposite.

Adult ; Aging ; Electric Impedance ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection

OBJECTIVETo determine the incidence and clinical significance of chromosome 13q14 deletion in multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSBone marrow samples were collected from 132 newly diagnosed MM patients referred to our hospital. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) combined with magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) were performed on chromosome 13q14 (RB-1).

RESULTS(1) i-FISH was used to investigate CD138-enriched bone marrow MM cells and revealed a 13q14 deletion rate of 51.5% (68/132), while conventional cytogenetic (CC) analysis revealed 13q deletions/monosomy 13 (Δ13) only of 5.0%(6/120). (2) Univariate analysis showed that 13q14 deletion rate by i-FISH > 25%, bone marrow plasma cells > 50%, ISS stage and β(2)-MG ≥ 5.5 mg/L were associated with shorter overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis revealed that 13q14 deletion rate by i-FISH > 25% was an independent unfavorable factor (P = 0.042). (3) Patients treated with bortezomib had a much better response than those treated with traditional chemotherapy (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in OS between patients received bortezomib with and without 13q14 deletion (P > 0.05), indicating that bortezomib could reverse the poor prognosis of 13q14 deletion.

CONCLUSION(1) i-FISH followed CD138 cell sorting appears to be a highly sensitive method for detecting 13q14 deletion. (2) 13q14 deletion rate by i-FISH > 25% is an independent unfavorable factor. (3) Bortezomib could reverse the poor prognosis of 13q14 deletion.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Boronic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo assess the prognostic value of biological features and therapy-related factors in multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS123 patients with newly diagnosed MM between January 1998 and May 2005 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Biological features at presentation and therapy-related factors were analysed. The overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the distribution of OS and TTP were compared using log-rank test. Cox regression was used to identify the independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS(1) The univariate analysis indicated that more immature plasma cells in bone marrow biopsy, C-reactive protein >8. Omg/L, CD117 expression, serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) (3.5 approximately 5.5 mg/L), abnormal cytogenetics aberration of chromosome 13 (Delta13), hypodiploid, poor response to chemotherapy, interferon(IFN) therapy less than 6 months were associated with shorter OS(P <0.05). Lytic bone lesions at presentation, more immature plasma cells in bone marrow biopsy, serum beta2-MG (3.5 approximately 5.5 mg/L), poor response to chemotherapy, and IFN therapy less than 6 months as well as abnormal cytogenetics, hypodiploid and Delta13 were associated with shorter TTP (P <0.05). (2) Multivariable COX analysis indicated IFN therapy more than 6 months was a protective factor for OS and TTP, and more immature plasma cells in bone marrow biopsy was an independent poor prognostic factor for TTP.

CONCLUSIONThe morphology of myeloma cells is useful for assessing the prognosis. And IFN therapy more than 6 months could lengthen OS and TTP.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the specifically expressed genes in sperms for better understanding of the molecular characteristics of sperms.

METHODSThe hybridization data the genes in the sperms, oocytes and 10 normal tissues were retrieved from the GEO database to identify the genes expressed specifically in sperms and the patterns of their regulation using such bioinformatic tools as GATHER, PANTHER and DAVID.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSComparison of the spermatozoal gene expression profiles with those of the normal tissues identified 8998 differentially expressed probes, among which 25 genes were up-regulated by over 200 folds in the sperms. Comparison of the gene expression profiles between the oocytes and normal tissues resulted in the identification of 8981 differentially expressed probes. Of the 1709 up-regulated genes in the sperm with a ratio>5, 1218 genes showed similar expressions in the oocytes and the normal tissues, and 129 were up-regulated and 362 down-regulated in the oocytes. The 362 genes up-regulated in the sperms but down-regulated in the oocytes were involved mainly in protein modification and metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism, but very few participated in the intracellular signaling pathways. Numerous transcriptional factors containing the KRAB domain and receptor- independent serine/threonine kinase were specifically overexpressed in sperms, and the a very high proportion of the genes specifically overexpressed in the sperms coincided with the overexpressed genes in the neural stem cells and embryonic stem cells. The genes involved in the glycolysis were down-regulated in the sperms. These findings in the genes specifically expressed in the sperms by data mining using bioinformatic methods may provide better insight into the molecular characteristics of the sperms.

Adult ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Data Mining ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Patients with late-stage cancer commonly have distant lymph node metastasis; however, poor health often contraindicates surgical treatment. Although the quality of life and overall survival for these patients are low, there is neither a consensus nor a guide for treatment. Ablation technique and surrounding tissue damage are two possible reasons for limited study of radiofrequency ablation in patients with superficial distant lymph node metastasis. Here, we report two patients treated successfully with ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for superficial distant lymph node metastasis. In these patients, deionized water was injected to the surrounding tissues of the lymph node to decrease heat injury. Results from these patients suggest that radiofrequency ablation may play an important role in the treatment of patients with distant lymph node metastasis.
Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods