The effects of vasectomy on the reproductive organs in various species are controversial. This study investigated the morphological change and apoptosis of the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens in beagle dogs 12 months after vasectomy. The male beagles were divided into two groups: vasectomized and sham-operated groups (n=5 in each). Histopathological, ultrastructural, and TUNEL evaluation of the changes in the testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens of each animal were conducted 12 months after surgery. The mean lumen diameter, cellular thickness, mean interstitial distance, and lumen area fraction of each seminiferous tubule and ductus epididymis were measured by stereological analysis. The results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the seminiferous tubular epithelial cells of the testes in the vasectomized group were disorderly arranged and scattered. Significant atrophy and apoptosis were found in the endothelial cells, and a range of ultrastructural variations were observed in the cells of testes, epididymis, and vas deferens in vasectomized group. It was concluded that complete obstruction of the vas deferens as a traditional contraception method is not absolutely safe in terms of the reversal of fertility in the long run. Techniques of relieving the inner pressure in the vas deferens while maintaining the efficacy of male contraception need to be explored.

Objective To compare and observe the effect and side effect of two different kinds of simulation mode for nasopharyngeal carcinoma conventional radiotherapy. Methods 147 cases were randomly divided into the study group (74 cases, CT simulation) and the control group (73 cases, X-ray radiography simulation). In the study group three-dimensional treatment planning system (IPS) was used to draw target volume and organ at risk, and then beam eye view (BEV) function was utilized to design treatment plan and subsequent plan modulation. In the control group X-ray simulation radiography was used. Two groups of plan design and subsequent plan modulation mode were exactly the same, and the radiotherapy were performed on the same accelerator. Results For these two groups, there were 5-59 months follow-up. The recent therapeutic effect of nasopharyngeal carcinoma primary site and cervical lymph node metastasis was regular,and no statistical significance (P >0.05). For the study group 3-year local recurrence rate was 5.4 % (4/74) while the control group was 16.4 %(12/73), and there was obvious statistical significance between two groups. About one year and three year accumulated survival rate, the study group was 98.5 %, 77.4 %, and for the control group was 92.9 %, 64.7 %. Two groups survival curves were examined by Log-rank test: the survival curves showed statistical significance between two groups(P <0.05). In control group, stage II and III radiotheray reaction of oralis mucosa was significantly increased compared with that of the study group (P < 0.05). There were two cases radioactivity cerebral palsy and one case optic nerve damage in the control group, but no serious dermatosis, soft tissue fibrosis and radioactivity posterior cranial nerve damage. Conclusion The CT simulation which is applied to nasopharyngeal carcinoma conventional radiotheraphy could improve therapeutic effect and reduce cancer recurrence and radiation side effect.

To use Agrobacterium rhizogenes-induced hairy roots to create new germplasm of Dianthus caryophyllus, we transformed D. caryophyllus with A. rhizogenes by leaf disc for plant regeneration from hairy roots. The white hairy roots could be induced from the basal surface of leaf explants of D. caryophyllus 12 days after inoculation with A. rhizogenes ATCC15834. The percentage of the rooting leaf explants was about 90% 21 days after inoculation. The hairy roots could grow rapidly and autonomously in liquid or solid phytohormone-free MS medium. The transformation was confirmed by PCR amplification of rol gene of Ri plasmid and silica gel thin-layer chromatography of opines from D. caryophyllus hairy roots. Hairy roots could form light green callus after cultured on MS+6-BA 1.0-3.0 mg/L + NAA 0.1-0.2 mg/L for 15 days. The optimum medium for adventitious shoots formation was MS + 6-BA 2.0 mg/L + NAA 0.02 mg/L, where the rate of adventitious shoot induction was 100% after cultured for 6 weeks. The mean number of adventitious shoot per callus was 30-40. The adventitious shoots can form roots when cultured on phytohormone-free 1/2 MS or 1/2 MS +0.5 mg/L NAA for 10 days. When the rooted plantlets transplanted in the substrate mixed with perlite sand and peat (volume ratio of 1:2), the survival rate was above 95%.
Agrobacterium ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Culture Media ; Dianthus ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Rhizobium ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Transformation, Genetic

This study was aimed to evaluate the hemostatic effect and mechanism of action for water decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng in order to understand its influence to the liver function. The glass slides method and capillary tube method were used in the measurement of the coagulation time (CT). And the tail-cutting method was used to measure the bleeding time (BT), prothrombin time (PT), activated part clotting live en-zyme time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), content of plasma fibrinogen (FIB), platelet count (PLC), plasma complex cal-cium time (PRT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The results showed that intragastric administration with different doses of water decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng (6.7 g·kg-1, 13.4 g·kg-1, 26.8 g·kg-1) can reduce CT and BT of mice. And intragastric administration with different doses of wa-ter decoction of Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng (4.7 g·kg-1, 9.4 g·kg-1, 18.9 g·kg-1) can produce different degrees of impact on PT, APTT, TT and PRT of rats. Certain dose of water decoction of Blumea megacepha-la (Randeria) Chang et Tseng can reduce ALT and AST. It was concluded that Blumea megacephala (Randeria) Chang et Tseng had the hemostatic effect and its mechanism of action may be through the activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation system. There was no obvious damage to the liver.

Objective To explore CT features of simple renal adipose capsule herniation (SRACH)and discuss its classification. Methods CT data of 1 8 patients with SRACH were retrospectively analyzed.Results All of the 1 8 cases occurred on the left side. SRACH could be divided into two types,thoracic and extrapleural.XGray films were negative in 1 7 cases,and 1 case in the lateral chest radiograph showed the hilly shadow in the posterior costal phrenic area.The results of CT detections presented as round,oval,and fusiform fat density masses on the paraspinal or posterior phrenic angle area with smooth margins,which extended downward to the diaphragm and were linked to the perinephric fat.Conclusion MSCT can clearly show the location of SRACH,the shape,size and density of the hernia sac,and the relationship with the renal adipose capsule,which may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC method for content determination of protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid in Zhuang medicine Blumea megacephala (Randeria), and explore the content variation of the 3 components of the herbs harvesting in different months, and provide the scientific basis of reasonable application.

METHODThe determination was carried out on a Shimadzu VP-ODS column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid in a linear gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL min(-1), and the detected wavelength was set at 258, 327nm.

RESULTThe peak areas and the concentrations of the three components had good linear relationship in the range of 1.7-17 mg x L(-1) for protocatechuic acid, 15.6-156 mg x L(-1) for chlorogenic acid, 3.96-39.6 mg x L(-1) for caffeic acid. The average recoveries were 103.4%, 102.2%, 98.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method was proved to be simple, accurate and used for the quality evaluation of Blumea megacephala (Randeria).

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; Chlorogenic Acid ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

The effects of vasectomy on the reproductive organs in various species are controversial. This study investigated the morphological change and apoptosis of the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens in beagle dogs 12 months after vasectomy. The male beagles were divided into two groups: vasectomized and sham-operated groups (n=5 in each). Histopathological, ultrastructural, and TUNEL evaluation of the changes in the testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens of each animal were conducted 12 months after surgery. The mean lumen diameter, cellular thickness, mean interstitial distance, and lumen area fraction of each seminiferous tubule and ductus epididymis were measured by stereological analysis. The results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the seminiferous tubular epithelial cells of the testes in the vasectomized group were disorderly arranged and scattered. Significant atrophy and apoptosis were found in the endothelial cells, and a range of ultrastructural variations were observed in the cells of testes, epididymis, and vas deferens in vasectomized group. It was concluded that complete obstruction of the vas deferens as a traditional contraception method is not absolutely safe in terms of the reversal of fertility in the long run. Techniques of relieving the inner pressure in the vas deferens while maintaining the efficacy of male contraception need to be explored.
Animals ; Dogs ; Epididymis ; surgery ; Male ; Testis ; surgery ; Vasectomy ; adverse effects

Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced NSCLC.Methods:We collected 23 cases of NSCLC advanced patients, who were treated in the affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2015 to March 2020. And these 23 cases of patients with first-generation EGFR-TKIs resistance were treated with the third-generation EGFR-TKI drugs. We analyzed their clinicopathological characteristics, studied their therapeutic effects, and followed up their progression-free survival (PFS).Results:It is showed that 16 of 23 cases (69.56%) were got local progression and 7 of 23 cases (31.43%) were found with systemic progression. Briefly, the median PFS of the 23 patients was 17.5 months. A total of 7 cases occurred rashes after taking EGFR-TKI, and 3 cases got abnormal liver function. Fortunately, they were all improved after symptomatic treatments. Additionally, no bone marrow suppression (granulocytes, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia) and digestive tract reactions (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) were occurred in 23 cases of NSCLC patients. The mental and physical improvement of EGFR-TKI in the third generation of 19 patients was more obvious than that in the first generation of EGFR-TKI. Among them, 15 cases showed more obvious lesion shrinkage after third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment. 4 patients with GGO had cleaner disappearance than that of the first-generation EGFR-TKI.Conclusions:Compared with traditional chemotherapy, the first-generation EGFR-TKI resistance treatment with three-generation EGFR-TKI treatment has better efficacy with reduced toxic and side effects, and significantly improved the life quality of advanced NSCLC patients.

Objective:To retrospectively evaluate the clinical effect of mitral valve repair for rheumatic mitral stenosis.Methods:We retropectively analyze the clinical datd of 50 rheumatic mitral disease patients undergoing mitral valve repair from January 2016 to March 2019, the clinical outcome was compaired with those of patients undergoing mitral valve replacement. The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, blood loss, ICU time, hospital stay, and postoperative cardiac function were analyzed, and followed up for 2 years to assess mitral regurgitation, cardiac function, and complication rates.Results:The time of cardiopulmonary bypass and ascending aorta occlusion in the valve repair group were longer than those in the valve replacement group ( P<0.05), and the postoperative ventilator assistance time, ICU stay time, and hospital stay were shorter than those in the valve replacement group ( P<0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, no patients died in the two groups. The rehospitalization rate in the valve repair group was lower than that in the replacement group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the reoperation rate between the groups ( P>0.05); There was 1 case (2%) of moderate mitral valve regurgitation in the mitral valve repair group, no moderate or severe mitral valve stenosis, no paravalvular leakage in the mitral valve replacement group, and no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction in the mitral valve repair group were significantly better than those in the mitral valve replacement group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Mitral valve repair is effective in treating rheumatic mitral stenosis. It is beneficial to protect heart function, reduce postoperative anticoagulation complications, and does not increase the rate of reoperation. It is a safe, effective and feasible treatment.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality in China, among which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80%. Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) targeted therapy has been playing an important role in treatment of NSCLC. However, unavoidable therapeutic resistance significantly limits the clinical efficacy of EGFR-TKI. As a key member of the forkhead box protein family, FOXC1 is aberrantly expressed in NSCLC and involved in NSCLC progression. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of FOXC1 on gefitinib resistance in NSCLC. METHODS: Western blot was performed to assess the expression of FOXC1 protein in HCC827/GR cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were performed in human NSCLC tissues with gefitinib resistance. HCC827/GR cells were transfected with shRNA specifically targeting FOXC1 mRNA and stable cell lines were established. The effects of FOXC1 on cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed using a new methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTS assay) and flow cytometry. Self-renewal ability was determined by mammosphere-formation analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of SOX2, Nanog, OCT4 and CD133. Flow cytometry analysis were further used to detect the level of CD133. IHC assays were used to detect the levels of SOX2 and CD133 in NSCLC tissues with genfitiinb resistance. Correlations of the expressions of FOXC1, CD133 and SOX2 with each other in lung adenocarcinoma samples were analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. RESULTS: The expression of FOXC1 is significantly increased in HCC827/GR cells compared with HCC827 cells (P<0.05). IHC results showed FOXC1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues with gefitinib resisitance. Knockdown of FOXC1 significantly increased the sensitivity of HCC827/GR cells to gefitinib. The cell viability was decreased and the apoptosis was promoted (P<0.05). Moreover, FOXC1 knockdown apparently inhibited the expression of SOX2 and CD133, and decreased the mammosphere-formation capacity in HCC827/GR cells. In NSCLC tissues with gefitinib resistance, the expressions of SOX2 and CD133 were significantly higher compared with gefitinib-sensitive tissues (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the expressions of FOXC1, CD133 and SOX2 with each other were positively correlated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS FOXC1 could increase gefitinib resitance in NSCLC, by which mechanism is related to the regulation of cancer stem cell properties.