The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.
Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/virology* ; COVID-19/physiopathology* ; China ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone/blood* ; Prolactin/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Semen/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: Until now, there are no reliable methods for the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Some limitations exist in drug therapy, mid-urethral suspension, and filling agent treatment. Therefore, the use of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) is expected to become a first-line treatment strategy for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with transurethral injection of autologous ADSCs for the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Patients and their families were informed of possible risks and benefits prior to the participation in the trial. After providing written informed consent, six patients with persistent urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy were enrolled in the study. Under general anesthesia, about 50 mL of adipose tissue was obtained from each patient by liposuction. ADSCs were obtained by separation with centrifugation using the Celution cell-processing device. A mixture of ADSCs and adipose tissue was transurethrally injected into the submucosal space of the membranous urethra. Functional and anatomical improvement was assessed through a 24-hour pad test, validated patient questionnaire, urethral pressure profile, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) through 12-week follow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Urine leakage volume was improved with time in all patients in the 24-hour pad test, with the exemption of temporal deterioration in two patients at the first 2 weeks post-injection. Subjective symptoms and quality of life assessed on the basis of questionnaire results showed similar improvement. The mean maximum urethral closing pressure increased from 4.312 kPa to 6.223 kPa at 12 weeks after cell injection. MRI results showed an increase in functional profile length (from 6.1 to 8.3 mm) between the lower rim of the pubic bone and the bladder neck. Adverse events, such as pelvic pain, inflammation, or de novo urgency, were undetected in any case during the follow-up. To conclude, the transurethral injection of autologous ADSCs can be a safe and effective treatment for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics of peripheral blood, immune phenotypes, fusion genes and cytogenetics of patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia(AML) through the retrospective analysis of 586 patients with t(8;21) AML from 15 blood disease research centers in Northern area of China.

METHODSThe factors affecting prognosis of patients with t(8;21) AML were investigated by using univariate and multivariate COX regression.

RESULTSThe immune type of t(8;21) AML patients was mainly with HLA-DR, CD117, CD34, MPO, CD38, CD13and CD33(>95%), part of them with CD19and CD56; the most common accompanied mutation of t(8;21) AML patients was C-KIT mutation (37.8%); in addition to t(8;21) ectopic, the most common chromosomal abnormality was sex chromosome deletions (38.9%). The univariate analysis revealed a significant survival superiority of OS and PFS in t(8;21) AML patients of WBC≤3.5×10/L without C-KIT mutation, the newly diagnosed ones achieved HSCT(P<0.05), only survival superiority on OS in t(8;21) AML patients with extramedullary infiltration and CD19 positive; the results of multivariate analysis showed a significant survival superiority on OS and PFS in t(8;21) AML patients with WBC≤3.5×10/L(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical features of t(8;21) AML patients in China are similar to those in other countries, WBC≤3.5×10/L is a good prognostic factor while the C-KIT mutation is a poor one in t(8;21) AML patients.

Objective To establish a UPLC-MS/MS method for determination of 10 anti-rheumatic constituents illegally added in Chinese traditional medicine and health products preparation.Methods The column was ACQUITY UPLC BEHC18 (50 mm× 2.1 mm,1.7 μm),The mobile phase was acetonitrile-Ammonium acetate solution (containing 0.1％ Acetic acid) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min.The ion source was electrospray ionization (ESI),Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) was performed to identify and quantify 10 anti-rheumatic constituents.Results 10 linear calibration curves were obtained with r ≥ 0.996 1.The recoveries were determinated at three concentration and ranged from 92.5％ to 101.8％.The precision of the method was shown by RSD (n =5) ranged from 0.9％ to 3.1％.The ranges of limit of detection were from 0.001 5 to 0.018 μg,and quantitation were from 0.004 5 to 0.55 μg.The illegally added chemicals were detected with 10 batches of 27 batches of samples.Conclusion The method were simple,sensitivity,accurate,and can be used to detect Anti-rheumatic constituents illegally added in Chinese traditional medicine and health products.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the prevention of graft versus host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified from PubMed (1950.1-2014.3), EMbase (1970.1-2014.3), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, issue 4, 2014) of the Cochrane Library, China Biological Medicine (CBM, 1978.1-2014.3). References of retrieved articles were also identified. The quality of each RCT was evaluated by the Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias. Data analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.1 to evaluate the efficacy of MSC in the prevention of GVHD after HSCT.

RESULTSA total of 3 English articles involving 117 patients were included. Meta-analysis indicated that MSC did not reduce the incidence of acute GVHD and chronic GVHD (RR:0.44, 95% CI: 0.08 to 2.51, P = 0.35; RR:0.85, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.33, P = 0.47). However, MSC did not increase occurrence of relapse and cytomegalovirus infection (RR:1.52, 95% CI:0.63 to 3.68, P = 0.35;RR:1.05, 95% CI:0.72 to 1.53, P = 0.78). Finally, MSC did not improve overall survival rate of patients received HSCT (RR:1.06, 95% CI:0.79 to 1.43, P = 0.71).

CONCLUSIONMSC may have a preventive effect on GVHD in patients undergoing HSCT. However, the evidence is weak due to the small sample sizes. Thus, a reliable conclusion about the preventive effect of MSC on GVHD at the moment has not been made, further larger, high quality, randomized and controlled trials are warranted.

China ; Chronic Disease ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Recurrence

The microRNA (miRNA) regulation mechanisms associated with atherosclerosis are largely undocumented. Specific selection and efficient validation of miRNA regulation pathways involved in atherosclerosis development may be better assessed by contemporary microarray platforms applying cross-verification methodology. A screening platform was established using both miRNA and genomic microarrays. Microarray analysis was then simultaneously performed on pooled atherosclerotic aortic tissues from 10 Apolipoprotein E (apoE) knockout mice (apoE-/-) and 10 healthy C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Differentiated miRNAs were screened and cross-verified against an mRNA screen database to explore integrative mRNA-miRNA regulation. Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to describe the potential pathways regulated by these mRNA-miRNA interactions. High-throughput data analysis of miRNA and genomic microarrays of knockout and healthy control mice revealed 75 differentially expressed miRNAs in apoE-/- mice at a threshold value of 2. The six miRNAs with the greatest differentiation expression were confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in atherosclerotic tissues. Significantly enriched pathways, such as the type 2 diabetes mellitus pathway, were observed by a gene-set enrichment analysis. The enriched molecular pathways were confirmed through qRT-PCR evaluation by observing the presence of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and SOCS3-related miRNAs, miR-30a, miR-30e and miR-19b. Cross-verified high-throughput microarrays are optimally accurate and effective screening methods for miRNA regulation profiles associated with atherosclerosis. The identified SOCS3 pathway is a potentially valuable target for future development of targeted miRNA therapies to control atherosclerosis development and progression.
Animals ; Aorta/metabolism/pathology ; Apolipoproteins E/*deficiency/metabolism ; Atherosclerosis/genetics/pathology ; Down-Regulation/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; MicroRNAs/*genetics/metabolism ; Models, Biological ; *Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction/*genetics ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Up-Regulation/genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of FLAMIGEL (hydrogel dressing) on the repair of residual burn wound.

METHODSSixty burn patients with residual wounds hospitalized in 6 burn units from November 2011 to May 2012 were enrolled in the multi-center, randomized, and self-control clinical trial. Two residual wounds of each patient were divided into groups T (treated with FLAMIGEL) and C (treated with iodophor gauze) according to the random number table. On post treatment day (PTD) 7 and 14, wound healing rate was calculated, with the number of completely healed wound counted. The degree of pain patient felt during dressing change was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean numbers of wounds with score equal to zero, more than zero and less than or equal to 3, more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, more than 6 and less than or equal to 10 were recorded respectively. Wound secretion or exudate samples were collected for bacterial culture, and the side effect was observed. Data were processed with repeated measure analysis of variance, t test, chi-square test, and nonparametric rank sum test.

RESULTSWound healing rate of groups T, C on PTD 7 was respectively (67 ± 24)%, (45 ± 25)%, and it was respectively (92 ± 16)%, (72 ± 23)% on PTD 14. There was statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on PTD 7, 14 between group T and group C (F = 32.388, P < 0.01). Ten wounds in group T and four wounds in group C were healed completely on PTD 7, with no significant difference between them (χ(2) = 0, P > 0.05). Forty-two wounds in group T and seven wounds in group C healed completely on PTD 14, with statistically significant difference between them (χ(2) = 42.254, P < 0.01). Patients in group T felt mild pain during dressing change for 37 wounds, with VAS score higher than zero and lower than or equal to 3. Evident pain was observed in patients of group C during dressing change for 43 wounds, and it scored higher than 3 and less than or equal to 6 by VAS evaluation. There was statistically significant difference in mean number of wounds with different grade of VAS score between group T and group C (Z = -4.638, P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were all detected in both groups, but there was no statistical difference between group T and group C (χ(2) = 0.051, P > 0.05). No side effect was observed in either of the two groups during the whole trial.

CONCLUSIONSFLAMIGEL can accelerate the healing of residual burn wounds and obviously relieve painful sensation during dressing change.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bandages ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

BACKGROUNDAccumulating evidence demonstrates that the microenvironment of the host has an important effect on the chemoresistance of tumors. We also found that the formation of intrinsic multidrug resistance is related to environmental factors that are common with tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma is induced by the microenvironment. In particular, the regulation of nuclear transcription factor (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, HIF-1α) activation in the process of multidrug resistance formation was investigated.

METHODSHepG2 cells were exposed to different microenvironmental conditions respectively, such as hypoxia, stimulation of glucose deprivation and transfection of plasmid PcDNA3/HBx. In the HepG2 cells, the expression of the related MDR proteins, HIF-1α protein expression and localization, activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) were detected. Specific inhibitor U0126 was used to block ERK/MAPK signal pathway, the alteration of HIF-1α and the related MDR proteins were investigated. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) repeated measures and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test or t-test were used to determine differences over time and effects of the treatments.

RESULTSThe above three microenvironment factors increase the expression of the related MDR proteins (including P-gp, LRP, and MRP1) and induce MDR of HepG2 cells. HIF-1α was induced at the protein and mRNA levels and the nuclear translocation was also increased. The activity of ERK/MAPK was also increased in HepG2 cells. But when ERK/MAPK pathway was inhibited, the mRNA and protein expression of MDR1, MRP1, and LRP was to some extent decreased. Inhibition of ERK/MAPK significantly reduced activated HIF-1α protein and the nuclear translocation of HIF-1α, whereas HIF-1α mRNA levels were not affected.

CONCLUSIONSThe microenvironmental factors could induce MDR of HepG2 cells by the activity of HIF-1α. The activity of HIF-1α is regulated by the ERK/MAPK pathway at the phosphorylation level. As an important nuclear transcription factor, HIF-1α controls the transcription of MDR-related genes and the synthesis of their corresponding proteins by ERK/MAPK signal pathway in HepG2 cells.

Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; physiology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Tumor Microenvironment

Cardiomyocytes can resist ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) which is repetitive ischemia induced during the onset of reperfusion. Myocardial ischemic preconditioning up-regulated protein 2 (MIP2) is a member of the WD-40 family proteins, we previously showed that MIP2 was up-regulated during ischemic preconditioning (IPC). As IPC and IPoC engaged similar molecular mechanisms in cardioprotection, this study aimed to elucidate whether MIP2 was up-regulated during IPoC and contributed to IPoC-mediated protection against I/R injury. The experiment was conducted on two models, an in vivo open chest rat coronary artery occlusion model and an in vitro model with H9c2 myogenic cells. In both models, 3 groups were constituted and randomly designated as the sham, I/R and IPoC/hypoxia postconditioning (HPoC) groups. In the IPoC group, after 45 min of ischemia, hearts were allowed three cycles of reperfusion/ischemia phases (each of 30 s duration) followed by reperfusion. In the HPoC group, after 6 h of hypoxia, H9c2 cells were subjected to three cycles of 10 minute reoxygenation and 10 minute hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. IPoC significantly reduced the infarct size, plasma level of Lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB in rats. 12 h after the reperfusion, MIP2 mRNA levels in the IPoC group were 10 folds that of the sham group and 1.4 folds that of the I/R group. Increased expression of MIP2 mRNA and attenuation of apoptosis were similarly observed in the HPoC group in the in vitro model. These effects were blunted by transfection with MIP2 siRNA in the H9c2 cells. This study demonstrated that IPoC induced protection was associated with increased expression of MIP2. Both MIP2 overexpression and MIP2 suppression can influence the IPoC induced protection.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Hypoxia/genetics/physiology ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/genetics/physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial/*methods ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac/*metabolism/*pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reperfusion Injury/*metabolism/*prevention & control