Hepatitis C ; etiology ; virology ; Hepatitis Viruses ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVEThe postoperative presence of alpha-fetoprotien (AFP) mRNA in the peripheral blood of patient with hepatic cellular carcinoma (HCC) may suggest that carcinomatous cells still exist in the peripheral blood which may someday develop into metastasis. Therefore, the expression of AFP mRNA in postoperative peripheral blood is detected and its correlation with recurrence of HCC is investingated.

METHODSAFP mRNA in peripheral blood of HCC patients and non-hepatic cellular carcinoma patients treated by partial hepatectomy on the first, 7th, 14th postoperative day was examined by means of RT-PCR/ Southern blot. All HCC patients were followed up for 36 months.

RESULTSOf the 29 HCC patients, 18 (62.1%) had recurrence, and 17 (58.6%) was found to have AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood during postoperative period. Fourteen of these 17 patients (82.4%) with positive AFP mRNA expression developed recurrence, but only 4 patients (33.3%) with negative AFP mRNA expression had recurrence. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur preliminary results suggest that detection of AFP mRNA during postoperative period may be helpful in predicting recurrence for hepatic cellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; genetics

Adult ; Aged ; Cataract Extraction ; methods ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Guidelines as Topic ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.

In order to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetic erectile dysfunction (T2DED),we analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with T2DED.Thirty-five SD rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group (n=15)with normal diet,and experimental group (n=20) with construction of T2D model.Faecal and serum samples were collected at 2nd and 8th week after establishment of T2D model,respectively.Faecal samples were used for analysis of gut microbiota,and serum samples for detection of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO),lipopolysaccharide (LPS),and inflammatory factors like interleukin-1 (IL-1),IL-2,IL-10,and monocyte chemoattractantprotein-1 (MCP-1).The main compositions of gut microbiota were Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at the phylum level,and Oscillospira,Allobaculum,Bacteroides,Ruminococcus,SMB53,Prevotella,Coprococcus,Sutterella and Blautia at the genus level with relatively higher abundance in all SD rats.The relative abundance of Enterococcus,Corynebacterium,Aerococcus,Facklamia (opportunistic pathogens in most case) increased,and that ofAllobaculum,Bifidobacterium,Eubacterium,Anaerotruncus (beneficial bacteria) decreased in T2DED group as compared with that at 2nd week after establishment of T2D model (T2D2 group).The serum contents of TMAO,LPS,IL-1,IL-2,IL-10 and MCP-1 in T2DED group were significantly higher than those in control group.The gut microbiota of T2DED rats was inhibited.The gut microbiota of T2DED rats had changed,as the relative abundance of beneficial bacterium was decreased while that of opportunistic pathogens was increased.The variations of gut microbiota might lead to inflammation and prompt the emergence of erectile dysfunction in the rats with T2D.TMAO might play an important role in the formation of T2DED.

Coinfection/drug therapy* ; HIV ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B/drug therapy* ; Hepatitis C/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Prevalence

Objective To investigate the implementation effect of standardized training of residents in obstetrics and gynecology.Methods A total of 40 students who participated in the standardized residency training of obstetrics and gynecology in our hospital from 2016 to 2018 were selected as respondents.The scores of professional dedication,sense of responsibility,communication skills,document writing,medical history collection,physical examination,diagnostic and differential abilities,drug use,clinical skills,and computer use were evaluated before and after training.The scores of theoretical and skill exams before and after training were collected and compared to evaluate the implementation effect of standardized training of residents in obstetrics and gynecology.Results After training,there were significant changes in the scores of professional dedication [(4.775 ± 0.366) vs.(7.475 ± 0.362),P＜0.05)],sense of responsibility [(4.800 ±0.333) vs.(7.850 ± 0.366),P＜0.05],communication skills [(4.575 ± 0.382) vs.(7.550 ± 0.339),P＜0.05],document writing [(4.833 ± 0.376) vs.(7.762 ± 0.343),P＜0.05],medical history collection [(4.762 ± 0.314)vs.(7.738 ± 0.316),P＜0.05],physical examination [(4.434 ± 0.347) vs.(7.565 ± 0.317),P＜0.05],diagnostic and differential abilities [(4.239 ± 0.274) vs.(7.348 ± 0.314),P＜0.05],drug use [(4.370 ± 0.261) vs.(8.022 ±0.246),P＜0.05],clinical skills [(4.370 ±0.330) vs.(8.217 ±0.265),P＜0.05],and computer use [(4.652 ± 0.260) vs.(8.630 ± 0.289),P＜0.05].There were also significant changes after training in the scores of theoretical exam [(70.950 ± 1.165) vs.(89.675 ± 1.164),P＜0.05] and skill exam [(67.575 ± 0.947) vs.(88.150 ± 0.877),P＜0.05].Conclusion Standardized training of residents in obstetrics and gynecology can enhance their clinical skills and improve their clinical thinking ability.

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen species are detected in 25% of infertile males. Although different agents of various alternative medicines, including traditional Chinese medicine, have been tried with varying success, evidence remains limited on whether and how much herbs or supplements might help increase the anti-oxidant ability of the sperm. This study examined the anti-oxidative effects of icariin, a flavonoid isolated from Herba Epimedii, on the human sperm. We prepared the FeSO4/H2O2-damaged human sperms, which were co-cultured with icariin in vitro, and then observed the changes of the sperm by employing Raman micro-spectroscopy. The results showed that Raman mapping with a 514 nm excitation laser allowed clear differentiation of the nucleus, neck, and, in particular, the mitochondria-rich middle piece of a human sperm cell. The effect of icariin on different organelles of the sperm was quantified by localized spectral Raman signatures obtained within milli-seconds, and icariin could keep the "Raman fingerprint" of the human sperm the same as the control groups, suggesting that icariin could protect the human sperm from being damaged by FeSO4/H2O2. Icariin may serve as a tonifying and replenishing agent of herbal origin for enhancing reproductive functions.
Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ferrous Compounds ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo describe a hospital outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and summarize its clinical features and therapeutic approaches.

METHODSThe outbreak started with a SARS patient from the community, and a total of 96 people (76 women and 20 men, mean age (29.5 +/- 10.3) years, 93.8% of whom were health care workers) who had exposure to this source patient became infected in a short time. Clinical data in this cohort were collected prospectively as they were identified.

RESULTS(1) The incubation period ranged from 1 to 20 (mean: 5.9 +/- 3.5) days. The duration of hospitalization was (17.2 +/- 8.0) days. (2) The initial temperature was (38.3 +/- 0.6) degrees C, while the highest was (39.2 +/- 0.6) degrees C (P < 0.001), with fever duration of (9.0 +/- 4.2) days. (3) Other most common symptoms included fatigue (93.8%), cough (85.4%), mild sputum production (66.7%), chills (55.2%), headache (39.6%), general malaise (35.4%) and myalgia (21.9%). (4) The radiographic changes were predominantly bilateral in the middle or lower lung zones. The number of affected lung fields was 1.2 +/- 0.8 on presentation, which increased to 2.9 +/- 1.4 after admission (P < 0.001). The interval from the beginning of fever to the onset of abnormal chest radiographs was (3.5 +/- 2.3) days, which increased in size, extent, and severity to the maximum (6.7 +/- 3.5) days later. The time before the lung opacities were basically absorbed was (14.9 +/- 7.8) days. (5) Leukopenia was observed in 67.7% of this cohort. The time between the onset of fever and leukopenia was (4.4 +/- 2.3) days, with the lowest white blood cell count of (2.80 +/- 0.72) x 10(9)/L. (6) The lowest arterial oxygen saturation was (94.8 +/- 3.1)% with supplementary oxygen. (7) Antibiotical therapies included tetracyclines (91.0%), aminoglycosides (83.3%), quinolones (79.2%); 18.8% of the patients received a combination of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides, while 11.5% received a combination of tetracyclines and quinolones, and 63.5% received a combination of tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and quinolones. Vancomycin was used in 13.5% of the patients. (8) 68.8% of the patients were treated with methylprednisolones for a mean interval of (4.9 +/- 2.4) days. The initial dose was (67.3 +/- 28.2) mg/d and the maximal dose was (82.4 +/- 30.5) mg/d. (9) Human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, antiviral drugs (oral ribavirin or oseltamivir) were used respectively in 68.6%, 46.9% and 92.7% of the patients. (10) Ninety-five patients (99.0%) had a complete clinical recovery, and only 1 patient (1.0%) died.

CONCLUSIONSSARS appears to be quickly infectious and potentially lethal among health care workers, characterized by acute onset and rapid progression, and mostly bilateral lung involvement on chest radiographs. Proper administration of glucocorticosteroids seems to be of some benefits. Antibiotics, human gamma-globulin, interferon-alpha, and antiviral drugs, although empirically, might be useful to shorten the clinical course.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy