AIM and METHODS: To explore the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH), TERT was investigated by using immunohistochemistry and image analysis on the chronic PH induced by MCT in Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: TERT was positive in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells, bronchial smooth muscle cells and chondrocytes in normal group. TERT in MCT group was more positive in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells and bronchial smooth muscle cells compared with normal group. CONCLUSION: Over expression of TERT in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells and bronchial smooth muscle cells is related to MCT-induced PH.

Objective To establish HPLC fingerprint of Radix Puerariae from Ankang,Shaanxi Province.Methods Inertisil C18 column(250 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) was used,with methanol-acetonitrile-0.25% acetic acid solution as mobile phase in a gradient elution.Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.The wavelength was 250 nm.Results For the relative retention time and relative area of common peaks,the RSD of ten batches of crude drug samples were below 10%.The similarities accorded with the regulation.Conclusion The analytical method can be used for the quality control of Radix Puerariae and of its sterilized powder for injection.

[Objective] To determine the sun protection factor (SPF) and protection factor of ultraviolet A (PFA) of a self-made sunscreen cream.[Methods] The sample of a self-made sunscreen cream and a commercial sunscreen cream were painted to an artificial skin (3M film) at a dose of 2 μl/cm2,and a tester was used to evaluate their photoprotective effect.A total of 48 albinism guinea pigs were classified into 8 groups to remain unprotected or be protected by the self-made or commercial sunscreen cream.A solar ultraviolet light simulator (SUV-1000) was used to simulate the ultraviolet rays in sunlight to irradiate the guinea pigs,and the photoprotecfive effect of these sunscreen creams was determined.[Results] The in vitro evaluation revealed that the SPF value of the self-made sun-screen cream and commercial cream was 32.26 ± 2.42 and 30.87 ± 2.57respectively (n =5,t =0.94,P ＞ 0.05),and the PFA value was 24.28 ± 2.44 and 17.53 ± 2.28 respectively (n =5,t =4.52,P＜ 0.01 ).As the in vivo experiment showed,the SPF value of the self-made sun-screen cream and commercial cream was 30.39 ± 6.65 and 28.79 ± 7.36,respectively (n =12,t =0.38,P＞ 0.05),and the PFA value was ＞ 8.91 and ＞ 8.93 respectively.[Conclusion] The photoprotective effect of the self-made sunscreen cream is similar to that of the commercial cream.

Objective To investigate the apoptosis mechanism induced by BH3 mimetic S1 in human leukemia cell line K562.Methods Cell viability was detected by XTT to S1 in leukemia cell line K562.K562 cells was incubated with S1 for different time,the apoptosis rate of K562 cells was determined by flow cytometry analysis.Caspase-3,-8,and-9 activities were measured by absorption spectra.Co-immunoprecipitation was used to analyze the releasing of bax,bak from bcl-2 and mcl-1.Results Compared with control group,a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis coincided with a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability following S1 treatment suggested that S1 inhibits cell proliferation through the induction of apoptosis.The IC50 value at 24 h for S1 was 13.5 μ mol/L.Exposure of K562 cells to S1 for 12 h resulted in a time-dependent increase in FITC-Annexin-positive/PI-negative early apoptotic cells.The strong increase of FITC Annexin/PI doublepositive cells after a 24 h treatment indicated a shift to late apoptosis.S1 activated Caspase-3 and-9,but not Caspase-8 indicated that S1 induced K562 cells apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway.K562 cells treated with 5 μmol/L of S1 showed a disruption in bcl-2/bax,mcl-1/bak complexes after 8 h S1 treatment.Conclusion The main mechanism that S1 induces K562 cells apoptosis might be through the inhibition of bcl-2/bax,mcl-1/bak complexes dissociation.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of microvasoepididymostomy for the treatment of obstructive azoospermia. Methods Ninety-eight patients were confirmed as obstructive azoospermia by infertility investigations.The mean (range) age was 31 (20-43) years.The mean duration of obstruetion was 4 years.All patients were seen by the surgeon for a complete history and physical examination.Semen analyses proved azoopermia,serum levels of sexual hormone were normal and testicular function for production of sperms were normal certified by biopsy.All patients with suspected epididymal or vasal obstruction were offered scrotal exploration.The decision for microvasoepididymostomy was made during surgery,based on the pateney of the vas towards the abdomen documented by saline and sperm fragments containing in the epididymal fluid on intraoperative light-microscopic examination.Microvasoepididymostomy was performed in 58 patients documented epididymal obstruction The initial semen analysis was then done after usually 3 months postoperatively.Patency was arbitrarily defined as＞10 000 sperm/mL in ejaculate in at least one semen analysis after surgery.Postoperative patency rate and postoperative impregnation rate were followed. Results Fifty patients were followed up for 3-29 months,8 cases lost.Sperm was found by semen analysis in 36 patients.Sperm density was 4×104-2×108 sperms/ml and motility was 2%-70%.Semen analysis reveals azoospermia in 6 patients and the patients were counseled to undergo further testing to determine the ultimate outcome of the procedure.Natural conception occurred in 14 patients followed for more than 12 months.The overall pateney rate was 72%(36/50).Among patients with a follow-up of＞6 months,the natural paternity rate was 28%(14/50).The median time to achieve a natural pregnancy was 6.6 (4.0-10.0)months. Conclusion A more favourable patency can be achieved using microsurgical intussusception vasoepididymostomy and a part of patients with obstructive azoospermia can be cured by this means.

Objective To compare the circumferential approach and suprapubic approach for correcting the concealed penis. Methods Thirty-four patients received circumferential approach (group A,18 cases)or suprapubic approach(group B,15 cases)randomly for the concealed penis.The length of penis without erection before and after surgery treatment,patients'satisfaction and surgical complications were evaluated.All the patients were followed at least 6 months after operation.Results The penile length before and after surgery in group A were(1.78±0.41)cm vs(3.97±0.47)cm,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer than that of the preoperative penis(P<0.01).83%of those in group A(15 cases)were satisfied with the cosmic results.The length of preoperative and postoperative penis in group B were(2.07±0.53)cm vs(4.05±0.81)cm respectively,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer(P<0.01).Satisfaction was 87%(13 cases).The postoperative penile length between the 2 groups was not different(P> 0.05).Prepuce edema was reported to Occur in 56%and 13%in group A and group B and spontaneously disappeared within 3 months.Fat synchysis occurred in 2 of group B. Conclusions The cosmic effect of the 2 surgical approaches is similar,but circumferential approach is simpler.There is no serious complication in those receiving circumferential approach.

Objective To study the preparation of hepatitis C viruses (HCV) genotyping oligochip and its application in the detection of 76 hepatitis C patients.Methods Oligonucleotide probes and primers were designed in the 5’noncoding region and core region of HCV. The HCV typing chip was prepared by spotting the modified probes onto nylon membrane. Products of the second PCR were labeled with Dig-dUTP. Furthermore, 6 PCR products were sequenced.Results Using the chip,15 subtypes in 11 types of HCV were analyzed.Results of hybridization indicates that 76 hepatitis C patients were all positive and 20 health people were negative.Among 76 patients, 64 cases were 1b type, 11 cases were 2a type and 1 case was 3a type. Mix infection was not found. The results obtained by sequencing 6 samples and chip arraying were the same.Conclusion The HCV genotyping chip could be used in detecting serum HCV RNA and analyzing its genotypes.

ObjectiveTo assess the cause of tadalafil failure and the feasibility of successfully rechallenging nonresponding patients.Methods A total of 80 consecutive erectile dysfunction ( ED ) patients who claimed poor response to tadalafil were enrolled into the study.A self-administered tadalafil-use questionnaire composed of eight questions was applied to assess how they had used tadalafil.Subjects were given thorough instruction based on individual answers and four doses of tadalafil 20mg.After a 2-week follow-up,end point efficacy of rechallenge was evaluated using the sexual encounter profile (SEP),which was recommended by international advisory panel in 2004.ResultsA total of 45 subjects had one or more areas of major suboptimal use of tadalafil:21.2％ did not know that sexual stimulation was necessary for tadalafil to work,87.5％ attempted to use tadalafil less than four times,57.5％ took a maximal dose less than 20 mg,and 84％ felt nervous or anxious.Of the 65 patients undergoing tadalafil rechallenge,30 patients answered “yes” to SEP2 and SEP3.The response rate to rechallenge was 46.2％ ( 30/65 ).ConclusionsInappropriate use of tadalafil was major cause of tadalafil non-pesponse.The efficacy of tadalafil could be improved to a better extent by education of patients.

Objective To evaluate the value of intermittent splenic artery occlusion in the treatment of iatrogenic splenic injury and the cause of ischemia reperfusion injury.Methods Experimental animals using dogs were divided into experimental group and control group according to whether the splenic artery was blocked.The animal model of iatrogenic splenic injury was established by general anesthesia.Experimental group was treated with intermittent splenic artery blockage combined with gelatin sponge oppression of the wound to stop bleeding.The first time of splenic artery occlusion was 15 min and continued for 10 min and for another 5 rmin if still bleeding.Then hemostatic effect after removing blocking and oppression was observed.Control group was only treated with gelatin sponge compression to stop bleeding.Blood samples and tissue samples were collected before blocking and after reperfusion for 2 hours in experimental group,and before compression and relieving the compression for 2 hours in control group.IL-1 (interleukin),SOD (superoxide disproportionation enzyme),MPO (myeloperoxidase),MDA (malondialdehyde) and caspase-3 (aspartame acid cysteine protease) were detected.Results The control group still had bleeding,while the experimental group had successfully stopped bleeding.Serum markers before and after occlusion in the experinental group were IL-1 (124.4 ± 106.8 vs.121.2 ± 105.1),SOD (4.7 ± 2.7 vs.5.2 ± 1.8) and MDA (8.8 ±6.5 vs10.8 ±7.5).There were no significant differences on serum markers in two groups after occlusion/oppression including IL-1 (121.2 ± 105.1 vs.162.8 ± 73.8),SOD (5.2 ± 1.8 vs.4.7 ± 2.8) and MDA (10.8 ±7.5 vs.9.6 ±6.6) (P＞0.05).Histological indicators before and after occlusion in the experimental group included MPO (0.62 ±0.23 vs.0.68 ±0.21) and Caspase-3 (0.90 ±0.29 vs.0.86 ± 0.26),and there was no statistical difference on MPO (0.68 ±0.21 vs.0.86 ±0.23 after two sets of experiments) and Caspase-3 level (0.86 ± 0.26 vs.1.21 ± 0.18) (P ＞ 0.05) in two groups after occlusion/ oppression.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of intermittent splenic artery occlusion combined with gelatin sponge compression hemostasis is safe and effective and without obvious ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the role of glycogen synthase kinase -3beta(GSK3β)on invasion and metastasis of human osteosarcoma cells .Methods Expression and phosphorylation of GSK 3βwere examined in osteosarcoma cell lines and tumor tissue from osteosarcoma patients by Western blot .The effects of small mole-cule GSK3βinhibitors on cell metastasis were detected by cell invasion assay and cell migration assay .Results Osteosarcoma cell lines showed increased GSK 3βexpression and abnormal activity regulation .In tumor tissue of patients with osteosarcoma metastasis and non -metastasis,GSK3βwere detected expression and abnormal activi-ty,especially in tumor tissue of the patients with osteosarcoma metastasis .Inhibition of GSK3βactivity resulted in inhibiting cells invasion and migration in osteosarcoma cell line .Conclusion In this research,we demonstrated that GSK3βencouraged osteosarcoma cells metastasis .The result will open up a potential target for clinical treat-ment of osteosarcoma .