0.05),but it was significantly lower than that in LTP group (P

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary, which binds to its receptors expressed on the membrane of Sertoli cells in the testis to bring about spermatogenesis. With the development of DNA sequencing technology, FSH SNPs rs10835638 and FSHR SNPs rs6165, rs6166, and rs1394205 were detected, which might directly affect the expression of FSH and activity of FSHR, resulting in male spermatogenic dysfunction. This review focuses on the relationship of FSH and FSHR gene polymorphisms with male infertility.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; genetics ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; Sertoli Cells ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis

Objective To evaluate the role of alpha4 beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the inhibition of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) by isoflurane in the CA1 area of rat hippocampal slices.Methods Hippocampal slices (400 μm thick) were prepared from the brains of adult male SD rats, 2 months old, weighing 200-250 g, anesthetized with ether and decapitated. The slices were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) at room temperature for at least 2 h before use. Seventy slices were randomly divided into 10 groups ( n = 7 each): Ⅰ LTP group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF; Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF containing isoflurane 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L respectively (group Ⅰ1-3 );Ⅴ and Ⅵ group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF containing epibatidine 0.1 and 1.0 μmol/L respectively (group E1.2 ); Ⅶ group epibatidine 0.1 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.25 mmol/L (group E1 + I2 ); Ⅷgroup epibatidine 1.0 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.25 mmol/L (group E2 + I2); Ⅸ group DHβE 0.1 μmol/L (group D); Ⅹ group DHβE 0.1 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.125 mmol/L (group D + I1 ). Population spikes (PS) were recorded for at least 30 min before LTP in each group. For LTP induction, high-frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway of hippocampus and maintained for 15 min using a stimulating electrode.The changes in PS amplitude were analyzed at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min after HFS in each group. Results Compared with group LTP, the PS amplitude was significantly decreased after HFS in group I1 ,I2, I3 , D, D + I1 and E1 + I2 ( P ＜ 0.05), while increased after HFS in group E1 .2 ( P ＜ 0.05 ), but no significant change was found after HFS in group E2 + I2 ( P ＞ 0.05). The PS amplitude was significantly decreased after HFS in group D + I1 compared with group I1 (P ＜ 0.05). The PS amplitude was significantly increased after HFS in group E1 + I2 and F2 + I2 compared with group I2 ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion Isoflurane inhibits LTP induction via inhibiting the activation of alpha4 beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in rat hippocampus.

OBJECTIVETo probe the recovery mechanism of Zhenggu powder (ZGP) on acute soft tissue injury in cell levels.

METHODSForty rabbits which established animal model of acute soft tissue injury with hammer hitting,were divided randomly into normal group (A), model group (B), vaseline group (C)and ZGP group (D). Injured part was applied external drug daily after model was made. All animals were killed after using drug for 4 days. The local tissue of injured part was taken pathologic study, and was measured the content of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha by ELISA method and TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1alpha by RIA method.

RESULTSMuscular tissue of group A was normal. But that of group B and C was aberrant,such as swelling and broken of muscular fiber or infiltration of inflammatory cell. Such histological change of group D was lightly and hyperplasia of blood vessel was found. The contents of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, TXB2 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha in group D were lower than that of group B and group C. On the contrary, the contents of 6-keto-PGF1alpha in the group D were higher than that of group B and group C. The difference of content of IL-6 between groups was not obvious.

CONCLUSIONZGP could promote not only the dilution and the transportation of inflammatory cell factors,but also the repair and the regeneration of the injured tissue structures. The therapeutic effect of ZGP was not relative to IL-6.

Animals ; Cytokines ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; immunology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of accommodative myopia in children.Methods:A total of 76 children with accommodative myopia who met the inclusion criteria were divided into a control group or a test group according to the random number table method,with 38 cases in each group.The control group was given education on eye hygiene,and the test group was treated with acupuncture twice a week for 2 months in addition to the intervention used in the control group.The patient's uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),refraction,and axial length(AL)were measured before treatment and 1 month and 2 months after treatment.Results:After 1 month of treatment,there was no significant difference in the UCVA between the two groups(P＞0.05);after 2 months of treatment,the UCVA of the test group was better than that of the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the refraction of the two groups was significantly different from that before treatment(P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the AL in the control group was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in the test group(P＞0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment can improve UCVA in children with accommodative myopia.

Here we report a case of 41-year-old man with a soft tissue density mass at right upper lung and palpable abscesses at right upper backside and right wrist. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated a 7.8 × 5.0 cm mass with soft-tissue density in the upper lobe of the right lung with high metabolic activity. The infiltrative mass extended to adjacent chest wall soft tissue. Final diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis with multiple abscesses was made. The patient responded well to antibiotics treatment.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/chemistry ; Humans ; Lung Diseases/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology ; Male ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study absorption kinetics of scopoletin in rat stomachs and intestines.

METHODRats was cannulated for in situ recirculation. UV and HPLC methods were used to determine the concentrations of phenolsulfonphthalein and scopoletin, respectively.

RESULTThe absorption rates in rat stomachs at 2 h after administration was 76.31%; The absorption rates at colon, duodenum, ileum and jejunum were 46.25%, 40.54%, 38.21%, 32.77%, respectively. The absorption rate constant (Ka) at concentrations of 10.0144, 20.0288-40.0576 mg x L(-1) in intestine were 0.6434, 0.6137, 0.5970 h(-1), respectively. The Ka of scopoletin at pH of 6.0, 6.8 and 7.4 in intestine were 0.6217, 0.6033, 0.6137 h(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe concentrations and pH values of scopoletin solution had no distinctive effect on the absorption kinetics. The absorption of scopoletin was a first-order process with passive diffusion mechanism. Scopoletin was well absorbed at stomachs and intestines in rats. Colon was the best absorption site of scopoletin, which suggest that a sustained-release preparation should be suitable for this compound.

Absorption ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scopoletin ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Stomach ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI) of cigarette smoking infertile males using SYBR-14/ PI fluorescent staining and flow cytometry and investigate its clinical significance.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 132 cigarette smoking infertile men and 70 normal fertile controls, the former divided into a heavy-smoker group (> 20 cigarettes a day, n = 68) and a light-smoker group (< or = 20 cigarettes a day, n = 64). We performed computer-assisted semen analysis of the semen samples, and determined sperm PMI by flow cytometry after rinsing with PBS and staining by SYBR-14/PI, the sperm with normal PMI indicated as the percentage of those emitting green fluorescence (SYBR-14+/PI- %), dead sperm as the percentage of those emitting red (SYBR-14-/PI+), and moribund sperm as the percentage of those emitting both green and red (SYBR-14+/PI+).

RESULTSBoth the heavy- and light-smoker groups showed significant differences in SYBR-14-/PI+ % and SYBR-14+/PI- % from the normal controls (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). SYBR-14+/PI- % was remarkably lower, while SYBR-14-/PI+ % markedly higher in the heavy-smoker than in the light-smoker group (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between SYBR-14+/PI- % and sperm motility (r = 0.938, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSYBR-14/PI fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis could quickly and exactly detect sperm PMI. Cigarette smoking reduces sperm PMI and consequently sperm motility, which might be an important factor of male infertility.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Membrane ; pathology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of Parkinson disease (PD), interaction between family history of PD and other risk factors, as well as the relative strength of genetic factors over the vulnerability of PD.

METHODSOne 1:1 matched case-control study including 157 pairs of cases and controls was conducted in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University.

RESULTSConditional logistic regression analysis showed that family history of PD, mental labor, insecticide, alcohol drinking and history of depression all had positive relationship, while smoking had a negative relationship with PD. The AP (AB)s of family history of PD and insecticide, alcohol drinking, history of depression were 55.2%, 34.0%, 41.4% and the RERIs were 8.96, 3.31, 7.85 respectively. The heritability of PD patients' first degree relatives was 36.86% +/- 5.76%, and second degree relatives was 20.66% +/- 6.81%.

CONCLUSIONFamily history of PD had an additive model synergism on PD, coexisting with other risk factors. Genetic factors had a smaller action on PD than environmental factors.

Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Confidence Intervals ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDTbx1 is the major candidate gene for DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). Similar to defects observed in DGS patients, the structures disrupted in Tbx1(-/-) animal models are derived from the neural crest cells during development. Although the morphological phenotypes of some Tbx1 knock-down animal models have been well described, analysis of the cardiac performance is limited. Therefore, myocardial performance was explored in Tbx1 morpholino injected zebrafish embryos.

METHODSTo elucidate these issues, Tbx1 specific morpholino was used to reduce the function of Tbx1 in zebrafish. The differentiation of the myocardial cells was observed using whole mount in situ hybridization. Heart rates were observed and recorded under the microscope from 24 to 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). The cardiac performance was analyzed by measuring ventricular shortening fraction and atrial shortening fraction.

RESULTSTbx1 morpholino injected embryos were characterized by defects in the pharyngeal arches, otic vesicle, aortic arches and thymus. In addition, Tbx1 knock down reduced the amount of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Abnormal cardiac morphology was visible in nearly 20% of the Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos. The hearts in these embryos did not loop or loop incompletely. Importantly, cardiac performance and heart rate were reduced in Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos.

CONCLUSIONSTbx1 might play an essential role in the development of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Cardiac performance is impaired by Tbx1 knock down in zebrafish.

Animals ; Branchial Region ; cytology ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; In Situ Hybridization ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Neural Crest ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; drug effects ; Zebrafish ; embryology ; metabolism ; Zebrafish Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism