Objective To detect the sperm apoptosis rate and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in seminal plasma and explore their correlation among infertile males. Methods Ninety-two inferitile males were divided into varicocele (VC) group (n=32), leukocytospermia group(n=30) and the other cause group (n=30), and another 24 in vitro fertilization sperm samples were sereved as controls. The routine sperm parameters including seminal pH, sperm viability and sperm density were examined by computer assisted sperm analysis, the sperm apoptosis rate was asseseed using Annexin V/PI staining, and the ROS level in seminal plasma was detected by TBA method. The differences in seminal parameters between three infertile groups and control group were compared, and the correlation of sperm apoptosis rate with level of ROS in seminal plasma was explored in each group. Results The sperm viability of three infertile groups was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01). The sperm apoptosis rates and levels of ROS in seminal plasma in VC group and leukocytospermia group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The sperm apoptosis rate was positively correlated with the level of ROS in seminal plasma in leukocytospermia group(r=0. 573, P < 0.05). Conclusion The increased sperm apoptosis rate and level of seminal plasma ROS may be related to the infertility of patients with VC and leukocytospermia. The increased level of seminal plasma ROS may be one of the causes of increased sperm apoptosis rate in patients with leukocytospermia.

OBJECTIVETo explain the essence of pungent-hot herb property express according to in vivo and in vitro studies on its effect on calmodulin on the base of the observation of the adjustment in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis functions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in rats under the state of yang deficiency.

METHODThe yang-deficient model was duplicated by intramuscularly injecting hydrocortisone sodium succinate powder injection. After the intervention with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex for seven days, TSH, T3, T4, 17-OHCS, COR, T, E2 of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis and other relevant indexes were detected. The calmodulin expression in livers and L02 cells cultured in vitro was detected by using Western blot.

RESULTPungent-hot herbs Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex can significantly correct indicators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and calmodulin, whereas the bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex showed no obvious effect.

CONCLUSIONThe pungent-hot herb property expression may be closely related to calmodulin.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To study the discrepancy influence of the sulbactam content on susceptibility testing results of cefoperazone/sulbactam combination disks.Methods Agar dilution method was used to determine MICs of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 and 1:1),and disk diffusion was used to detect the zone diameters of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(75/30 and 75/75μg/disk)disks against 534 clinical gram-negative isolates.The discrepancy within the results of MICs,zore diameters,the method of agar dilution and disk diffusion was analyzed.Results By standard agar dilution method,MIC_(50) of cefoperazone,cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 and 1:1)were 32,16,16μg/ml,and MIC_(90) of those were ≥256.128,64 μg/ml respectively.No statistic discrepancy was found for MICs between the ratios of 2:1 and 1:1 combination by Wilcoxon ranks test(Z=-0.248,P=0.804).Susceptibility rate,resistance rate,and intermediate rate with 75/30μg disk were 55.3%,24.5%and 20.2%respectively,which were similar to those determined by agar dilution method.Susceptibility rate,resistance rate,and intermediate rate(I%)with 75/75μg disk were 72.5%,12.4% and 15.1% respectively,compared with the susceptibility rate from 75/30μg disk was 17.2% higher.Statistic discrepancy were tested by paired t-test (t=21.613,P＜0.01)with two groups of whole strains' zone diameters from 75/30μg and 75/75μg disks,and resulting in the difference of susceptibility or resistance rates for ESBL-producing strains,Acinetobacter bauamnnii and Enterobacteriaceae without ESBL tested isolates.On the contrary,for Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and ESBL negative isolates,the zone diameters discrepancy was not statistically significant between the results from 75/30μg and 75/75μg disks.Conclusions There is no statistic discrepancy between the susceptibility results from cefoperazone/sulbactam(2:1 or 1:1 ratios)in dilution method and in diffusion method with 75/30μg disk.When the 75/75μg disk is used to be tested for ESBL-producing strains,Acinetobacter bauamnnii and other Enterobacteriaceae,the results should be shown with sulbactam content.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of scar hypertrophy in adenosine receptor A(2A) (A(2A) R) knockout mice.

METHODSAnimal models of hypertrophic scar were established in 12 A(2A) R knockout mice and 12 wild-type mice as control. The thickness and the size of transverse section of the hypertrophic scar were observed by H-E staining. The hydroxyproline (HYP) in the scar was measured colorimetrically. The TGF-beta expression was tested by Western blotting method.

RESULTSThe hypertrophic scar in wild-type mice was more severe than that in knockout mice. Compared with self-control, the increase of the thickness and the size of transverse section of hypertrophic scar was markedly higher in wild-type group than in the knockout group (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in HYP content between the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with self-control, the increase of TGF-beta expression in wild-type group was much more than that in knockout group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TGF-beta expression decreases in the A(2A) R knockout mice. The scar hypertrophy is also much less in the A(2A) R knockout mice.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of IAT and MAT chemotherapeutic regimens treating patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 99 patients with refractory and relapsed AML received IAT regimen or MAT regimen as study objects were retrospectively analyzed (56 patients with refractory AML and 43 patients with relapsed AML). Among of them, 28 patients were treated with IAT regimen, and 71 patients received with MAT regimen. The results showed that in 2 groups mentioned above the OR was 65.7%, CR was 49.5%, PR was 16.2%; in IAT group the OR was 64.3%, CR was 46.4%; in MAT group the OR was 66.2%, CR was 50.7%, no statistical difference was found between these 2 groups; The 2 years overall survival was 25% in IAT group and 15.5% in MAT group. Serious infection in IAT and MAT regime groups was 25% and 9.9%, respectively. It is concluded that both IAT and MAT regimens are effective methods for inducing CR in patients with refractory of relapsed AML. IAT and MAT regimens can be used in treatment of the refractory or relapsed MAL patients who were not respond to other regimen.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Vidarabine ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the reliability, validity and sensitivity of a Family Burden Scale (FBS) of disease used on schistosomiasis. Methods 224 schistosomiasis patients were investigated, using the FBS. Reliability was estimated by Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability. Validity was tested by factor analysis. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparison of patients with different income levels. Results The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.874 and split-half reliability was 0.939 for FBS, respectively. Most values of Cronbach's α and split-half reliability for each component of scale were above 0.70. Construct validity was appraised by factor analysis, and 6 factors were identified. These factors could explain 66.76 % of the total variance. Patients with different income levels showed significant difference in terms of family burden for schistosomiasis (P<0.001 ). Conclusion This FBS appeared to have satisfactory reliability, validity and sensitivity and could be used in evaluating family burden of schistosomiasis patients.

Objective:To investigate the association between metabolically healthy obesity(MHO) and atherosclerosis risk among Chinese community population aged 40 or older.Methods:A total of 9 525 participants without cardiovascular diseases (3 621 men and 5 904 women) from Jiading community in Shanghai were enrolled to complete questionnaires, undergo extensive physical examination including brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and blood pressure (BP) assessment, and laboratory screening. According to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic status, these participants were categorized into 4 groups including metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO), MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). High baPWV was defined as baPWV>1 400 mm/s, and high pulse pressure (PP) was defined as PP above fourth quartile of the population. Multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to explore the relationship between MHO and high baPWV as well as high PP after adjusting for confounders. Results:After multivariable adjustment, such as sex, age, current smoking, current drinking, and education, logistic regression analysis showed that MHO was significantly correlated with high baPWV ( OR=1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37) and high PP ( OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.43-2.08) in comparison with MHNO. Otherwise, both MUNO and MUO subjects were at higher risk for suffering from high baPWV (MUNO: OR=3.02, 95% CI 2.60-3.50; MUO: OR=3.26, 95% CI 2.87-3.70) and high PP (MUNO: OR=2.56, 95% CI 2.17-3.02; MUO: OR=3.49, 95% CI 3.01-4.06). Conclusion:On the basis of Chinese community population, there was a pronounced correlation between the MHO phenotype and the increased risk of developing atherosclerosis.

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

Objective To construct an adenoviral vector carrying the gene encoding ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Methods The gene fragment encoding CNTF was amplified from pMEG-CNTF plasmid by PCR and the Psp-CNTF-IRES-GFP and PDC316-CNTF-IRES-GFP plasmids were constructed. Using PDC316-CNTF-IRES-GFP and PBHG plasmids, the Ad-CNTF-IRES-GFP vector was constructed, and the constructed vector was amplified, purified and identified in 293-LP cells. Ectopic overexpression of CNTF was induced using the constructed vector in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to investigate the role of CNTF in promoting remyelination. Results The Ad-CNTF-IRES-GFP vector was successfully constructed with a pfu of 2.3x1011. CNTF concentration in the MSCs transfeeted with Ad-CNTF-IRES-GFP vector was 20-fold higher than that in either non-transfected or Ad-EGFP-transfected MSCs. Conclusion The constructed Ad-CNTF-IRES-GFP vector allows CNTF overexpression in human MSCs by 20 folds, which provides a strategy for gene therapy targeting CNTF.

OBJECTIVETo assess the depression and anxious status among transferred injured survivors in Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan province.

METHODSA total of 43 transferred injured survivors were investigated by questionnaire exploring their trauma symptoms and mental health status.

RESULTSHigh rates of trauma symptoms were remarkably observed in these survivors. Of all the respondents, 60% had some emotional symptoms and sleeping difficulties. About one third of respondents experienced recurrent and intrusive distressing recollection of event, 16 (37.21%) experienced nightmare, 15 (34.88%) had flashback and 7 (16.28%) of them tried to avoid relative stress.

CONCLUSIONMany mental symptoms were observed in transferred injured survivors. The two major factors of mental stress were emotional symptoms and re-experience of the disaster.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; Survivors ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Wounds and Injuries ; psychology ; Young Adult