The effects of pituitary suppression with one-third depot of long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist in GnRH agonist long protocol for in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were investigated. A retrospective cohort study was performed on 3186 cycles undergoing IVF/ICSI with GnRH agonist long protocol in a university-affiliated infertility center. The pituitary was suppressed with depot triptorelin of 1.25 mg or 1.875 mg. There was no significant difference in live birth rate between 1.25 mg triptorelin group and 1.875 mg triptorelin group (41.2% vs. 43.7%). The mean luteinizing hormone (LH) level on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) starting day was significantly higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. The mean LH level on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration was slightly but statistically higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. There was no significant difference in the total FSH dose between the two groups. The number of retrieved oocytes was slightly but statistically less in 1.25 mg triptorelin group than in 1.875 mg triptorelin group (12.90±5.82 vs. 13.52±6.97). There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups (50.5% vs. 54.5%). It was suggested that one-third depot triptorelin can achieve satisfactory pituitary suppression and produce good live birth rates in a long protocol for IVF/ICSI.
Adult ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Pituitary Gland ; drug effects ; secretion ; Pregnancy ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; methods ; Triptorelin Pamoate ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of icariin(ICA),an active ingredient of Herb Epimedii,on angiogenesis.

METHODSThe chick chorioallantoic membrane(CAM)assay was adopted to evaluate the effects of various doses of the ICA on the angiogenesis. The cell growth inhibitory effect of ICA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The effect of ICA on the migration of HUVEC cells was measured on Transwell model.

RESULTSICA remarkably inhibited angiogenesis in CAM in a concentration-dependent manner. The proliferation of HUVEC cells was inhibited by ICA, and the effect was time-and concentration-dependent. ICA-treated HUVEC cells showed cell cycle arrest;180 μg/ml of ICA decreased the percentage of migrating HUVEC cells by 78.0%.

CONCLUSIONICA can effectively suppress angiogenesis;however,its in vivo inhibitory effect on angiogenesis warrants further investigations.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Chickens ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; Flavonoids ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic

In Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, China, 41 echinococciasis patients who had received surgical treatment were recruited in the study, and 82 health persons who had lived in Garze for at least 10 years were selected as controls. The serum levels of Zn, Se and Cu of the cases and controls were detected. The results showed that most echinococciasis cases were distributed in Shiqu county (17.1%, 7/41), and only 1 case was distributed in Yajiang county (2.4%). The male to female ratio of the cases was 1:1.56. The echinococciasis patients were mainly aged 30-39 years (36.59%, 15/41). And, the cases aged 20-49 years accounted for 68.29% (28/41). Compared with health controls, the serum levels of Zn and Se of the cases significantly declined. However, the serum level of Cu of the cases had no significantly change. It was confirmed that the serum levels of Zn and Se were interrelated with the prevalence of echinococciasis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Copper ; blood ; Echinococcosis, Hepatic ; blood ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Selenium ; blood ; Sex Distribution ; Tibet ; Trace Elements ; blood ; Young Adult ; Zinc ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of hepatic ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in obese children, using ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) as the reference standard.

METHODSA total of 162 obese children with age of 10.5 ± 2.2 years and BMI of 28 ± 4 were enrolled in this study. They accepted hepatic US and (1)H MRS examinations. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of US were calculated for the overall presence of hepatic steatosis by comparison with ¹H MRS results.

RESULTSUsing quantitative criteria of liver fat content (LFC) >5% determined by (1)H MRS, 95 children(58.6%)were diagnosed as having hepatic steatosis. The sensitivity and specificity of US in diagnosing steatosis were 91.6% (87/95) and 50.7% (34/67) respectively, with PPV of 72.5% (87/120), and NPV of 81.0% (34/42). Considerable overlap in LFC measured by ¹H MRS was observed between different grades from US findings: absent (LFC interquartile range: 1.3%-3.9%), mild (2.4%-10.7%), moderate (7.1%-20.2%) and severe (7.6%-28.8%) steatosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe US can yield a high sensitivity and low specificity in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in obese children, suggesting it can be used as a screening tool for hepatic steatosis. To improve diagnostics, ¹H MRS is needed to determine LFC.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fatty Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Obesity ; complications ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer in Southern China, and provide a base of research and therapy for gastric cancer.

METHODSA total of 1 879 cases of gastric cancer with radical gastrectomy from Southern China were collected from August 1994 to July 2012. Analyze and summarize the characters of gender, age, tumor location, WHO histopathologic type and grade, pTNM stage and family history, retrospectively.

RESULTSAmong all cases, male to female ratio was 2.08: 1, while female was more than male before 40 years (χ(2) = 77.831, P = 0.000). Cases aged over 60 years had a highest incidence of gastric cancer (46.0%), with predilection of sinus (45.7%), body (26.3%) and cardia (20.1%). The common WHO histopathologic types were tubular or papillary adenocarcinoma (81.5%) and signet ring cell carcinoma (11.0%). Most patients were at III or IV stage on pTNM staging (40.5% and 26.5%).

CONCLUSIONSGastric cancer in Southern China has a predilection on male, while female is more than male before 40 years. Gastric sinus and adenocarcinoma is most common. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Young Adult

Donation after brain death followed by circulatory death (DBCD) is a unique practice in China. The aim of this study was to define the pathologic characteristics of DBCD liver allografts in a porcine model. Fifteen male pigs (25-30 kg) were allocated randomly into donation after brain death (DBD), donation after circulatory death (DCD) and DBCD groups. Brain death was induced by augmenting intracranial pressure. Circulatory death was induced by withdrawal of life support in DBCD group and by venous injection of 40 mL 10% potassium chloride in DCD group. The donor livers were perfused in situ and kept in cold storage for 4 h. Liver tissue and common bile duct samples were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, TUNEL testing and electron microscopic examination. Spot necrosis was found in hepatic parenchyma of DBD and DBCD groups, while a large area of necrosis was shown in DCD group. The apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in DBD [(0.56±0.30)%] and DBCD [(0.50 ± 0.11)%] groups was much lower than that in DCD group [(3.78±0.33)%] (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between DBD group and DBCD group (P>0.05)). The structures of bile duct were intact in both DBD and DBCD groups, while the biliary epithelium was totally damaged in DCD group. Under electron microscope, the DBD hepatocytes were characterized by intact cell membrane, well-organized endoplasmic reticulum, mild mitochondria edema and abundant glycogens. Broken cell membrane, mild inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal epithelium edema, as well as reduced glycogen volume, were found in the DBCD hepatocytes. The DCD hepatocytes had more profound cell organelle injury and much less glycogen storage. In conclusion, the preservation injury of DBCD liver allografts is much less severe than that of un-controlled DCD, but more severe than that of DBD liver allografts under electron microscope, which might reflect post-transplant liver function to some extent.
Allografts ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Death ; China ; Death ; Heart Arrest ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Microscopy, Electron ; Organ Preservation ; methods ; Swine ; Tissue Donors ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; methods

BACKGROUNDBacteria-induced respiratory infection has been long considered to be the major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Therefore, a clear picture about the distribution and drug-resistance of pathogenic bacteria in the lower airways should be helpful for treatment of the disease. So far, data on this topic among Chinese are lacking.

METHODSA surveillance study was performed in consecutive patients with AECOPD at five areas in China between October 2006 and April 2008. The sputum from these patients was cultured and isolated for bacteria. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of levofoxacin and other 15 antibiotics against these strains.

RESULTSThree hundred and fifty-nine pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated among 884 patients with AECOPD. The predominant bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.3%), Haemophilus influenzae (14.2%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (11.7%), followed by Haemophilus parainfluenzae (9.5%), Acinetobacter baumannii (7.8%), Moraxella catarrhalis (6.4%) and Escherichia coli (3.6%). The majority of bacterial pathogens isolated in this study were susceptible to fuoroquinolones, ceftazidime, cefepime and imipenem.

CONCLUSIONSGram-negative bacilli are the leading pathogens in patients with AECOPD in China. Haemophilus parainfluenzae may be one of the most important pathogens in AECOPD. This study provides evidence for local surveillance of AECOPD pathogens and appropriate choice of antimicrobials in China.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; microbiology

This study was purposed to explore the relationship between the mRNA expression of telomere protection protein TIN2 and POT1 and the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The expression of TIN2 and POT1 genes at the mRNA levels were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in 51 patients with MDS and 10 normal controls. The results showed that the mRNA expressions of TIN2 in RA/RARS/RCMD/MDS-U, RAEB-1 and RAEB-2 groups according to the World Health Organization criteria were significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.05); the mRNA expressions of POT1 in RA/RARS/RCMD/MDS-U, RAEB-1 and RAEB-2 groups were significantly lower than that in the controls (P < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of TIN2 in high-risk group, inter risk-2 group and inter risk-1 group according to the international prognostic scoring system criteria were significantly higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between low risk group and the control group. The mRNA expressions of POT1 in high risk group, inter-risk-2 group and inter-risk-1 group were significantly lower than the controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between low risk group and the control group. The mRNA expression of TIN2 in normal chromosome group was significantly lower than that in abnormal chromosome group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between normal chromosome group and the control group. The mRNA expression of POT1 in normal chromosome group was significantly higher than that in abnormal chromosome group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between normal chromosome group and the control group. It is concluded that the abnormal mRNA expression of TIN2 and POT1 may be involved in the regulation of telomere dynamics of MDS patients, the regulatory mechanism may be related to the telomere length and the pathogenesis of MDS.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Telomere ; metabolism ; Telomere-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Via studying the phenotype, growth curve and secondary metabolites of two kinds of suspension culture cell of Arnebia euchroma, the kinetics parameters of growth and accumulation of shikonin compounds in cell suspension culture of A. euchroma was obtained through simulating and modeling. This Study found that the red high-yielding one was a fine cell line for producing shikonin compounds, and the white low-yielding one may be a mutant. The first-order and second-order derivative of the fitting function were obtained by fitting the Logistic model of growth curve to get the growth rate and growth acceleration curve of the suspended cells. It is found that the best period to subculture was the 15th day cultured in fresh medium, and the best period of the induction process was the 13th-14th day. When compared the growth rate of the red line and the shikonin compounds accumulation curve, it is found that the rapid growth of the biomass of cells was not conducive to the synthesis and accumulation of shikonin compounds.
Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Naphthoquinones ; metabolism ; Plant Cells

BACKGROUNDIt has been widely demonstrated that endothelial progenitor cells are involved in several diseases and that they have therapeutic implications. In order to define the altered pulmonary vascular homeostasis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we sought to observe the level and functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

METHODSThe total study population included 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 20 control subjects. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CD34(+)/CD133(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cells) was counted by flow cytometry. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells were also cultured in vitro and characterized by uptake of DiIacLDL, combining with UEA-I, and expression of von Willebrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Adhesion, proliferation, production of nitric oxide, and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and phosphorylated-endothelial nitric oxide synthase were detected to determine functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RESULTSThe number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group was lower than in the control group: (0.54 ± 0.16)% vs. (1.15 ± 0.57)%, P < 0.05. About 80% of adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured in vitro were double labeled with Dil-acLDL and UEA-1. The 92% and 91% of them were positive for von Willebrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, respectively. Compared with the control, there were significantly fewer adhering endothelial progenitor cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: 18.7 ± 4.8/field vs. 45.0 ± 5.9/field, P < 0.05. The proliferation assay showed that the proliferative capacity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients was significantly impaired: 0.135 ± 0.038 vs. 0.224 ± 0.042, P < 0.05. Furthermore, nitric oxide synthase (112.06 ± 10.00 vs. 135.41 ± 5.38, P < 0.05), phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression (88.89 ± 4.98 vs. 117.98 ± 16.49, P < 0.05) and nitric oxide production ((25.11 ± 5.27) µmol/L vs. (37.72 ± 7.10) µmol/L, P < 0.05) were remarkably lower in endothelial cells from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group than the control.

CONCLUSIONCirculating endothelial progenitor cells were decreased and functionally impaired in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AC133 Antigen ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism