OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of acute blunt scrotal trauma (BST) and evaluate the types of lesion by conventional ultrasonography (CUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

METHODSWe made acute BST models in 21 healthy male New Zealand rabbits by striking 3 - 12 times the unilateral testes randomly selected with a 0. 5 kg iron ball falling freely from a 30 cm height. Then we evaluated the lesion types in the models by CUS and CEUS and verified our evaluation against pathological results.

RESULTSAcute BST models were successfully established in all the 21 animals, including contusion in 10, hematoma in 6, and rupture in 5, all confirmed by pathology. CUS clearly manifested the morphology, internal echoes, and blood flow of the testes, but had a low rate of accurate diagnosis in testicular contusion for over 6 hours as well as in complex lesions. CEUS revealed an earlier perfusion of the contrast agent and shorter arriving time (AT) and time to peak intensity ( TP) in testicular contusion than in the control testes (P <0.05) , but showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the half time of descending peak intensity (P>0.05). For testicular hematoma, contrast agent clearly presented its outline and a delayed low enhancement in the surrounding tissue, with significant differences from the control in AT and TTP. In severe testis rupture, occasional outflow but no perfusion of contrast agent was observed.

CONCLUSIONBST models can be established in rabbits by repeated strikes of the unilateral testes lesion of contrast agent was observed. with a freely falling iron ball. Simple contusion injury can be induced by less than 6 strikes, while complex injuries can be inflicted by more than 10. Combined application of CUS and CEUS can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of different types of lesion.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Rabbits ; Scrotum ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Ultrasonography ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; diagnostic imaging

ObjectiveTo identify the presence of side population (SP) cells in human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3 and to investigate whether SP cells have the characteristics of cancer stem cells.MethodsSP and non-SP (NSP) cells from OVCAR-3 were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting after being stained by DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342.Limiting dilution transplantation assay,realtime PCR,and drug sensitivity assay were performed to compare the tumorigenic ability,differentiation ability in vivo,the mRNA expressiou of stemness marker (Oct-4,Klf4,and Nanog) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter (ABCG2,ABCB1,and ABCC2),and response to multiple drugs (cisplatin,paclitaxel,doxorubicin,and mitoxantrone )between SP and NSP cells.ResultsA few of SP cells [ ( 1.13 ±0.39) ％ ] which were sensitive to reserpine were identified in OVCAR-3 cells.The injection of as few as 102 SP cells initiated tumors in two of five mice.Tumor latency was 52 -61 days.However,the NSP cells did not generate any tumors in mice until 104 NSP cells were injected (two of five mice).Tumor latency was 64 - 98 days.Tumorigenicity of SP cells was enhanced by at least 100-fold than that of NSP cells.The SP cells regenerated both SP [ ( 2.09 ± 0.73 ) ％ ] and NSP populations in vivo with a fraction size that was comparable to the original population.The mRNA expression ofstemness genes Oct-4,Klf4 and ABC transporters ABCG2,ABCC2 genes were elevated in SP cells compared to NSP cells,the fold changes were 1.95±0.41 (P＜0.05),4.26 ±0.63 (P＜0.01),3.22±0.36 (P＜0.01),and 1.76±0.26 (P＜0.01 ),respectively.The relative activity of SP and NSP cells were 0.757 ± 0.105 versus 0.474 ± 0.035 (P＜0.01),0.521 ±0.092 versus 0.384 ±0.073 (P＜0.05),0.742 ±0.051 versus 0.526 ±0.088 (P ＜0.01 ),and 0.690 ± 0.096 versus 0.466 ± 0.112 ( P ＜ 0.01 ) when they exposed to 0.25 μg/ml cisplatin, 0.01μmol/Lpaclitaxel, 0.25μmol/Ldoxorubicin, and0.05μg/mlmitoxantrone,respectively.ConclusionsSP cells from OVCAR-3 have enhanced self-renewal,differentiation,and tumorinitiating capacity compared to NSP cells.The mRNA expression of stemness genes and ABC transporters are markedly elevated in SP cells,which showed resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs and have characteristics of cancer stem-like cells.Therefore,SP phenotype could be used as a marker to isolate the cancer stem-like cells in ovarian cancer.

Amblyopia greatly affects the physical and mental development of children. Acupuncture is effective for amblyopia, though its mechanism remains unclear. This article summarized the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of amblyopia from the perspectives of morphology of neurons in visual cortex, visual electrophysiology, and molecular biology, etc. It was found that acupuncture may treat amblyopia through repairing the morphological and ultrastructural damages of neurons in visual cortex, promoting the electrical activities in visual pathway and visual cortical neurons, and modulating the synthesis and expression levels of factors involved in visual system. Nevertheless, further studies are required to unveil the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of amblyopia.

Objective To evaluate the effect of three diamension-digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) on the patients with ruptured multiple intmcranial aneurysm (MIA). Methods A retrospective study on 21 patients with MIA was performed.After scanning with 3D-DSA or 3D-CTA, three-dimensional reconstruction of MIA was carried out by 3D workstation,then the diagnosis was decided and the treatment plan (endovascular treatment or microsurgery) was selected according to stereoscopic image of MIA. Results (1) 3D-DSA or CTA was performed in 21 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH),it was revealed these patients carried with 48 aneurysms,including 35 small aneurysms (25 mm).Not only miero-aneurysms and small aneurysms could be precisely showed,also the size of aneurysmal neck,the relationship of the aneurysm and the parent vessel and contiguous branches by stereoscopic image.(2) According to the standard of classification,9 patients with MIA for gradeⅠ(42.9%),10 for gradeⅡ(47.6%),2 for gradeⅢ(9.5%),0 for gradeⅣ.Endovascular treatment was selected prior to microsargery for those high grade patients.In this group,17 patients with 40 aneurysms underwent endovascular embolotherapy with GDC coils.Twenty four anemysms were completely occlusioned,12 beyond 90%,4 were left without treatment because of their small size.In microsurgery group,3 aneurysrus were totally clipped,1 could not be found during operation.No any treatment was accepted in 2 patients with 4 aneurysms. Conclusions 3D-DSA or CTA,which is very useful for the diagnosis and treatment of MIA,could improve the accuracy of diagnosis of MIA and clearly show the stereoscopic image of MIA,also the relation of sac and parent artery.For those patients with high grade MIA,endovascular treatment was selected prior to microsurgery,pro re nata,used to combine with mierosurgery.

Increased recognition of human parvovirus B19,as a significant human pathogen has resulted in intensive researches to understand the pathogenesis of B19 infection,to elucidate the nature of Th1-mediated cellular immune response,to improve diagnostic strategy that is deployed to detect B19 infection and blood-product contamination,and to lay a foundation that should contribute to the development of an effective vaccine to prevent B19 infection.In this review,the biologic characteristics and the pathogenesis of human parvovirus B19,and B19-related manifestations as well as laboratory diagnostic methods for B19 infection were comprehensively discussed.

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the associations between genetic polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) G1793A, plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, vitamin status and ulcerative colitis ( UC) in a cohort of patients in Hubei Han nationality. Methods Two hundred and ninty-nine UC patients and 764 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Polymorphism of MTHFR G1793A was examined using a PCR-RELP method.Plasma levels of Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 were determined by enzymatic cycling assay and corpuscle immune chemiluminescence assay, respectively.Results Both variant allele and genotype frequencies in MTHFR G1793A gene were significantly higher in the UC patients compared to the controls (22.24% vs 14.20% , P<0.001 ;42.81% vs 26.97%, P < 0.001, respectively).Plasma Hcy levels were increased in UC patients compared to the controls [(20.67 ±6.42)mmol/L vs (13.21 ±5.11)mmol/L, P <0.001] while folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were significantly decreased [(11.37±6.34) nmol/L vs (14.89±7.21) nmol/L, P < 0.001; (324.15±127.53 ) pmol/L vs (421.54±128.45 ) pmol/L, P < 0.001, respectively].Furthermore, hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) and folate deficiency were also more prevalent in the UC patients (32.44% vs 25.78% , P = 0.029; 23.41% vs 17.01%, P =0.016, respectively).Conclusions Genetic polymorphism of MTHFR G1793A Wag strongly associated with UC.HHcy,folate deficiency and low vitamin B12 concentration were common phenomena in the UC patients of Hubei Han nationality.Our findings demonstrate that the genes relmed to Hey metabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of using polyporus silk fibroin as a kind of novel material for facial nerve regeneration.

METHODSThe porous silk fibroin conduit was used in the reconstruction of a 5 mm facial nerve gap of SD rat. Chitosan conduit was taken as control group. General observation, electrophysiological study, histological study and image analysis were performed 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTSThe facial nerve of SD rat regenerated successfully as time passed through. Mean CAP percentage of regenerated nerve in SF conduit was 24.94% +/- 5.73% 8 weeks postoperatively, which had no statistical significance with that of chitosan conduit group (P = 1.125). And the average number of myelinated myelinated nerve fibers in SF conduit was 62. 5 +/- 6. 3, which had statistical significance with that in chitosan conduit group (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONSThe porous silk fibroin conduit could effectively repair facial nerve defect and improve peripheral nerve functional recovery.

Animals ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fibroins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Materials Testing ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the levels of antidesmoglein (DSG) 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and alopecia.

METHODSSera from PNP patients, bullous pemphigoid patients, and normal healthy subjects were collected and 2 tissue samples from 2 healthy scalps were resected. Anti-DSG 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of PNP patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Indirect immunofluorescent assay was used to detect whether the antibodies in the sera of PNP patients binds with the follicular epithelium of normal healthy scalp.

RESULTSAnti-DSG3 autoantibody was strongly positive and anti-DSG1 weakly positive in one patient, while both two antibodies were negative in the other patient. Their sera could bind to keratinocytes and follicular epithelium in human scalp. Immunofluorescent signals were found on the intercellular epidermal cell surface and outer root sheath of the follicular epithelium. However, the immunofluorescent signals in the section incubating with serum of bullous pemphigoid were only found on basal membrane zone. No signals were found in the section incubating with normal healthy serum.

CONCLUSIONAlopecia in PNP patients are correlated with the anti-DSG3.

Adult ; Alopecia ; etiology ; immunology ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Desmoglein 1 ; immunology ; Desmoglein 3 ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; complications ; immunology ; Pemphigus ; complications ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore and study the relationships between the popularity of HFMD and the climate in Qinhuangdao city.

METHODSHFMD cases were collected on a ten-day basis in 2009 in Qinhuangdao city. At the same time, the data about Qinhuangdao's ten-day average temperature and average humidity were provided by the Qinhuangdao Meteorological bureau. Then the collected data were analysed using the great data analysis function in the EXCELE software.

RESULTSThe results showed that the disease of HFMD had a positive relationship with seasons. The cases of HFMD began to rise at the last ten days of March and rised dramatically at the middle ten days of April; In July, the cases of HFMD arrived at peak and then decline gradually. The cases of HFMD in October were quite similar to the cases of HFMD in March. Then in November, the cases of HFMD declined rapidly. All these evidences suggested that the peak seasons of HFMD were Spring and Summer.

CONCLUSIONThe situations of HFMD had a significant positive relationship with the conditions of climate, such as high temperature and high humidity.

Climate ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Humidity ; Seasons ; Temperature

Since the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9, gene editing technologies have attracted increasing attention, in particular type II systems, in which nucleases consist of only a single protein. The effectors include type II Cas9, type V Cas12 and type VI Cas13, which allow precise genomic DNA or RNA editing. Catalytically inactive CRISPR/Cas9 can also be used as a platform to recruit effectors such as transcription factors, epigenetic factors, and/or base modification enzymes to target gene loci. On the other hand, optogenetics offers spatial, temporal, and reversible control of biological processes. CRISPR and optogenetics can enable precise gene editing in vitro and in vivo at the spatiotemporal level, which has a broad applicability in biology and medicine. This article has provided a review for the research advance in photoactivatable CRISPR systems, with details for the design and application of such tools and a discussion over the limitations of the current methods, which may shed light on this emerging field.
CRISPR-Cas Systems ; DNA ; Gene Editing ; Humans ; Technology