Objective To observe the effect of lovastatin on plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1) and collagen type Ⅳ in rats with glomerularsclerosis induced by adriamycin,and to discuss its mechanism of protective effects on kidneys.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar nephritic rats induced by adriamycin were randomly divided into 3 groups:control,hyperlipidemia and lovastatin treatment group.They were fed 12 weeks.Urinary protein excretion and serum lipid were assayed,then renal glomerularsclerosis index,the expression of PAI-1 and collagen type Ⅳ were observed.Results Serum total cholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein,urinary protein excretion,renal glomerularsclerosis index were significantly lower in treatment group than those in hyperlipidemia group.Expression of PAI-1 and collagen type Ⅳ,and number of foamcells were also sharply lower in treatment group than those in hyperlipidemia group.Conclusions Lovastatin not only reduces proteinuria,improves renal function,but also modulates glomerularsclerosis by inhibiting activity of PAI-1 and decreasing accumulation of collagen type Ⅳ.The mechanism of renal protective effect is independent of a reduction of circulating cholesterol.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Diseases ; diagnosis ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cytodiagnosis ; Cytological Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis

This study was purposed to investigate the angiogenesis-promoting activities of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) modified by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the underlying mechanisms. The hMSCs were transfected by recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human HGF gene and seeded onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Three days later, the number of blood vessels was counted and their angiogenic response was compared with those of hMSCs of same generation, recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and alpha-MEM as control. The expression levels of bFGF, VEGF, angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR assay. The results showed that gene-modified hMSCs exhibited greatest activity to promote angiogenesis while the angiogenic response was nearly same between groups treated by hMSCs and bFGF, all of which were significantly higher than that observed in control (p < 0.01). RT-PCR analysis revealed that hMSCs constitutively expressed multiple angiogenesis-associated growth factors and their levels seemed up-regulated by HGF gene transfer. It is concluded that HGF gene-modified hMSCs show a potent angiogenesis-promoting function and may be useful in the treatment of ischemic disorders.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; genetics ; Transfection

The two-dimensional model of cell culture is an important method in the study of testicular development and spermatogenesis but can not effectively mimic and regulate the testicular microenvironment and the whole process of spermatogenesis due to the lack of relevant cell factors and the disruption of a three-dimensional spatial structure. In the past 20 years, the development and optimization of the in vitro model such as testis organotypic culture and in vivo model such as testis transplantation achieved a transformation from two- to three-dimension. The maintenance and optimization of the testicular niche structure could mimic the testicular microenvironment and cell types including Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells, which showed similar biological behaviors to those in vivo. Besides, the cell suspension or tissue fragment floats in the gas-liquid interface so that the development of somatic and germ cells is well maintained in vitro whilst the feedback linkage between grafted testis tissue and hypothalamus-pituitary of the host rebuilt in the in vitro model provides an endocrinological basis for spermatogenesis, which serves as an effective methodology to better understand the organogenesis and development of the testis as well as testicular function regulation, advancing the concept of treatment of male infertility. Al- though each of the methods may have its limitations, the progress in the processing, freezing, thawing, and transplantation of cells and tissues will surely promote their clinical application and present their value in translational medicine.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Germ Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; growth & development

A 2,4 -dichlorophenol degrading Pseudomonas strain GI241-1 was isolated from a soil sample. The dienelactone hydrolase gene, designated as dcpD which encodes dienelactone hydrolase involved in transforming cis-2-chloro-dienelactone into 2-chloromaleylacetic acid, was cloned from this bacterium strain. The gene cloning strategy was to construct genomic library after location of its neighbouring gene by Southem blot and to screen the aim transformant by dot blotting. Sequencing results showed that length of dcpD is 702bp. The sequence of dcpD and the deduced amino acid are different from the relative sequences registered in the GenBank.

OBJECTIVESTo present experience on the diagnosis and treatment of urethral condyloma acuminatum (CA) in male patients.

METHODSTwenty-one cases of urethral CA were studied. The lesion of urethral meatus and intraurethal were resected by electrofulguration or operation and Urethroscopy, respectively. All patients were received intraurethral instillation and local therapy of 5% 5-fluorouracil solution.

RESULTSThe patients had been followed up for three to twelve months. Cure rate was 76.2%, recurrence rate was 23.89%.

CONCLUSIONSTransurethral endoscopy is a reliable diagnosis and treatment method. Intraurethral instillation and local therapy of 5% 5-fluorouracil solution may prevent the recurrence of CA.

Condylomata Acuminata ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Instillation, Drug ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Diseases ; diagnosis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) of varicocele patients, the influence of spermatic vein ligation on IELT, and the relationship of Visual Analogue Score (VAS) with IELT.

METHODSWe selected 112 males who had regular sexual life after spermatic vein ligation and conducted follow-up visits for 6 months. According to preoperative IELT, we divided the patients into an IELT < or = 2 min group and an IELT > 2 min group, and compared their IELT, VAS and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 (CIPE-5) scores before and 6 months after operation.

RESULTSFollow-up was accomplished in 81 of the patients, 18 in the IELT < or = 2 min group and 63 in the IELT >2 min group. Compared with the baseline, IELT was significantly prolonged postoperatively in both the IELT < or = 2 min group ([1.26 +/- 0.37] vs [4.53 +/- 1.69] min, P < 0.01) and the IELT >2 min group ([5.14 +/- 2.03] vs [7.69 +/- 4.51] min, P < 0.05); the postoperative CIPE-5 scores were remarkably improved in the former (11.27 +/- 3.52 vs 15.64 +/- 2.37, P < 0.05) but insignificantly in the latter group (20.42 +/- 4.65 vs 21.83 +/- 5.49, P > 0.05); the postoperative grades of the CIPE-5 scores showed significant differences in both groups (chi2 = 6.353, P = 0.042 and chi2 = 3.910, P = 0.048); the postoperative VAS was markedly increased (3.18 +/- 0.92 vs 1.56 +/- 0.83 and 3.24 +/- 0.95 vs 1.74 +/- 0.79, P < 0.05), with significant differences in the grades of VAS in both groups (chi2 = 4.433, P = 0.035 and chi2 = 10.088, P = 0.001). The variation of VAS was negatively correlated with that of IELT in both groups (r = -0.572, P < 0.01 and r = -0.465, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele may be one of the causes of premature ejaculation, and some of the varicocele patients with IELT < or = 2 min may benefit from spermatic vein ligation. Improved VAS is negatively correlated with prolonged IELT. The relationship between varicocele and premature ejaculation deserves further studies.

Adult ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to investigate if transfusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) could exhibit beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis. Human bone marrow MSC were intraperitoneally injected into Wistar rats with collagen-induced arthritis at a dose of 10(7) on the next day (preventive group) or 2 weeks (treatment group) after collagen II induction, once a week for 2 weeks (preventive group) or 4 weeks (treatment group). The control group was given normal saline (NS) at corresponding time. The symptom scorings were documented weekly from the second week of the induction. On week 6, the hind joints of the rats were pathologically examined and the activation status of splenocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that all the rats developed arthritis and subsequent joint abnormality. On the sixth week, symptom scores of the rats that received MSC preventive (9.5 ± 0.5) or therapeutic (9.4 ± 0.6) infusions had no significant difference between each other, but were significantly greater than those of the NS controls (7.6 ± 0.6, P < 0.05). Consistently, pathological examination on the involved knees showed that the synovitis and arthritis scorings of MSC treated rats were greatly elevated compared with NS controls. Furthermore, the ratios of CD86(+) cells in the spleens of MSC prevention, MSC treatment and NS control groups were (4.16 ± 1.48), (4.06 ± 1.97) and (4.15 ± 2.04) respectively, while those of CD11b/c(+)CD86(+) cells were (1.04 ± 0.68), (0.95 ± 0.56) and (0.98 ± 0.44), all of which were significantly higher than those of healthy controls [(0.97 ± 0.18) and (0.30 ± 0.17), P < 0.05 for both parameters]. It is concluded that MSC infusion has little beneficial effects on collagen-induced arthritis in rats, conversely, MSC therapy aggravated the damage of the involved joints, its underlying mechanisms need to be further investigated.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; pathology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To optimize the supercritical carbon dioxide(SC-CO2)extraction of lipids from tempeh(TE-C)and further improve the lipid classes ratio. Methods The experimental parameters of SC-CO2 extraction including extraction temperature, pressure,and moisture content of tempeh were optimized using a Box-Behnken design combined with response surface methodology (RSM),according to the weighted extraction ratio of TE-C and lipid classes after the experimental results of single factors. Detailed chemical compositions of TE-C obtained by optimum conditions of SC-CO2 extraction were analyzed by high performance liquid chroma?tography with an evaporative light-scattering detector(HPLC-ELSD)and high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pres?sure chemical ionization mass spectrometry(HPLC-APCI-MS). Results TE-C was composed of three lipid classes:fatty acids(Ⅰ), diacylglycerols(Ⅱ)and triacylglycerols(Ⅲ). The optimum SC-CO2 extraction conditions of TE-C were 50℃extraction temperature, 25 MPa pressure,1.99%moisture content of tempeh and 1.5 hour extraction time. Conclusion The optimum value of RSM for SC-CO2 extraction was(5.97±0.15)g/100 g.

Objective To investigate the effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH- a) and antagonist (GnRH-ant) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian damage in rats.Methods Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided randomly into six groups,which received normal saline (NS),CTX,GnRH-a+NS,GnRH-a+CTX,GnRH-ant+NS,and GnRH-ant+CTX respectively.Levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E_2) were measured successively by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method,and half of the rats were killed in the first week and between the fourth and the fifth week after stop of medication,respectively to compare the weight of the ovaries and the number of the primordial follicles and the growth follicles.Results (1) Throughout experiment,the serum levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the control group fluctuated slightly,while those in the CTX group kept rising.During medication treatment,compared with the control group[(118?16) ?g/L, (350?35) ?g/L] and the CTX group[(113?15) ?g/L,(289?42) ?g/L],the concentrations of LH [(42 ?8)-(47?7) ?g/L,(31?5)-(36?7) ?g/L] and FSH [(124?45)-(136?32)?g/L,(178 ?54)-(198+27)?g/L] in the GnRH-a groups and the GnRH-ant groups were maintained at low levels significantly and the levels of LH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly lower than that in the GnRH-a groups,but the levels of FSH in the GnRH-ant groups were significantly higher than that in the GnRH-a groups(P0.05),but the levels of FSH,LH and E_2 of the GnRH-ant+CTX group rose obviously and were similar to the levels of the CTX group,especially the FSH,and the levels of LH and FSH of the GnRH- ant + CTX group [(156?12) ?g/L,(520?44) ?g/L] and the CTX group [(178?18) ?g/L,(546?36) ?g/L] were significantly higher than that of the other four groups [(121?15)-(132?13) ?g/L,(335 ?35)-(359?26) ?g/L] at the 4~(th)-5~(th) week after stop of treatment(P0.05),but the number of all kinds of follicles declined significantly in the GnRH-ant+CTX group[(195?15),(36?12)] and the CTX group [(212?11),(36?9)] compared to the other four groups[(302?15)-(690?43),(44?12)-(58?11),P