Antiviral effect of emodin from Rheum palmatum against coxsakievirus B5 and human respiratory syncytial virus in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Viral infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly people and young children throughout the world. The most common pathogens include coxsackie virus (CV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, no antiviral agents with low toxicity and drug resistance are currently available in clinic therapy. The present study aimed to examine the antiviral activities of emodin (an ingredient of Rheum palmatum) against CVB5 and RSV infections, in an attempt to discover new antiviral agents for virus infection. The monomer emodin was extracted and isolated from Rheum palmatum. The antiviral activities of emodin on HEp-2 cells were evaluated, including virus replication inhibition, virucidal and anti-absorption effects, by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tet-razolium bromide (MTT) assay and plaque reduction assay (PRA). The kinetics of virus inhibition by emodin in a period of 14 h was further determined by plaque assay and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α) mRNA expressions after emodin treatment (7.5, 15, 30 μmol/L) were also assessed by qPCR post-infection. The results showed that emodin had potent inhibitory activities against CVB5 and RSV, with the 50% effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 13.06 to 14.27 μmol/L and selectivity index (SI) being 5.38-6.41 μmol/L. However, emodin couldn't directly inactivate the viruses or block their absorption to cells. It acted as a biological synthesis inhibitor against CVB4 and RSV in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, especially during the first 0-4 h post-infection. Moreover, emodin could decrease the mRNA expression of IFN-α but enhance TNF-γ expression significantly compared to the viral controls in vitro. Our results provide a molecular basis for development of emodin as a novel and safe antiviral agent for human enterovirus and respiratory virus infection in the clinical therapy.

Screening lentiviral vectors carrying effective siRNA of the ROCK2 gene / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA and capable of significantly suppressing the ROCK2 gene expression in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We designed and synthesized 4 siRNA fragments targeting the ROCK2 gene and packaged them into lentiviral vectors. We collected corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell samples from 5 male SHRs and randomly divided them into groups A (non-transfection control), B (GFP lentiviral transfection), C, D, E, and F (lentiviral transfection with siRNA fragments 1 -4 targeting the ROCK2 gene). Each group consisted of 5 samples and each sample 3 x 10(4) cells. At 48 hours after transfecting MOI = 80 into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, we detected the expression of GFP under the fluorescent microscope and the mRNA expression of the ROCK2 gene by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The transfection efficiency of the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells was > 50%. Compared with group A, the expression of ROCK2 mRNA in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells showed no remarkable change in group B (P > 0.05) but was inhibited very significantly in C ([43.91 +/- 8.19]%), D ([47.15 +/- 6.64]%), and F ([25.7 +/- 6.03]%) (P < 0.01), and significantly in E ([16.81 +/- 5.94]%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We successfully constructed 4 lentiviral vectors carrying siRNA targeting the ROCK2 gene, all of which can significantly suppress the ROCK2 expression in the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and one has a highly strong inhibitory effect.</p>

Effect of Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method on detecting schistosome eggs / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of the Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method on detecting schistosome eggs. Methods A total of 803 residents aged from 6-65 years were selected in 2 schistosomiasis endemic villages Jiangling Coun-ty Hubei Province and their stool samples were collected and detected parallelly by the Kato-Katz technique nylon silk egg hatching method and Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method at the same time. Results Among the 803 people 15 cases were found of schistosome egg positive and the positive rate was 1.87%. The positive rates of the Kato-Katz technique nylon silk egg hatching method and Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method were 0.75% 1.49% and 1.12% respectively. The schistosome eggs got with the Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method were clear and easy to identify. Conclusion In low endemic areas of schistosomiasis the Parasep? feces centrifuge tube method can be used as schistosomiasis japonica etiology diagnosis method.

Construction and operation of network laboratory for schistosomiasis diag-nosis in Jianglin County / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To build a high quality diagnosis system for schistosomiasis surveillance in the situation of low infec-tion in Jianglin County. Methods The network laboratory for schistosomiasis diagnosis was built according to the national crite-ria in Jianglin County in 2012. Results The network laboratory for schistosomiasis diagnosis was established successfully and the operation was quiet well. Conclusion The establishment and operation of the laboratory play an important role in the real-ization of schistosomiasis elimination.

Efficacy of routinely used patterns for schistosomiasis diagnosis in lake and marshland regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of routinely used pattern for schistosomiasis diagnosis in lake and marshland regions. Methods A historically heavy endemic village of schistosomiasis named Jinggan Village from Jiangling County was se?lected for field survey. The residents aged 6?65 years were screened by indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA)and dipstick dye immunoassay(DDIA)in parallel. The serological positives were examined by Kato?Katz technique and miracidium hatching technique to determine the infection of schistosome. The consistency of the two serological methods was evaluated. In addition , the schistosome infection rates were estimated according to the 3 detection patterns namely IHA,DDIA,IHA+DDIA combined with the etiologic examination. Results A total of 530 individuals were examined by the serological tests. The positive rate of DDIA was 46.98%(249/530),significantly higher than that of IHA(28.49%,151/530)(χ2=59.55,P<0.01). Totally 279 in?dividuals were serological positives determined by IHA or DDIA,while 252 of them were detected by stool examination,and 22 cases were determined as parasitological positives,while 7 and 3 cases were diagnosed as antibody negatives by IHA and DDIA,respectively. The estimated infection rates determined by IHA,DDIA,IHA plus DDIA combined with stool examination were 3.14%,3.97%、4.60%,respectively. Conclusions Under the condition of endemic situation becoming more and more waning,the current routinely used pattern for schistosomiasis detection may lead to missed diagnosis. So,more sensitive and ef?fective diagnostic tools or appropriate detection patterns need to be explored.

Assessment of curative effect on erectile dysfunction of two drugs / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To further discuss the method of evaluating curative effect on erectile dysfunction(ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical trials(Phase II) of sildenafil and phentolamine were both 8-week-long, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Not only the curative effect between each treatment group and placebo group but also between the treatment groups were compared. The dosage of sildenafil and phentolamine was respectively 50-100 mg and 40 mg.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Efficiency, success rate of sexual intercourse and general curative effect in sildenafil and phentolamine groups were respectively 79.17%, 75.00%, 83.33% and 52.38%, 85.71%, 52.38%. The result revealed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvement over placebo. But no obvious differences were shown between the two treatment groups(P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Most assessments of curative effect of ED drugs come from questionnaires answered subjectively by patients. The Lack of objective assessment criteria way lead to the non-conformity between trial results and clinical practices. So the curative effect of drugs shall be assessed more accurately and from more perspectives.</p>

Effect of experimental varicocele on structure and function of epididymis in adolescent rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effect of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on epididymal structure and function in adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ELV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Sham-operated animals served as the controls. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, the histological, ultrastructural and biochemical (alpha-glucosidase activity and carnitine content) changes in different segments of the epididymis were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the treated animals, there were degeneration of the epididymal epithelium and edema of the interstitial tissue; numerous shedding cells, residual bodies, deformed sperm and macrophages appeared in the epididymal lumen. Morphometric measurement indicated a significant reduction in the epididymal tubular diameter (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the epididymal interstitial area (P<0.05) compared with the controls. Ultrastructural study showed sparse microvilli of the columnar epithelium, increased and enlarged lysosomes in the principal cells with defected organelles and the presence of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. The protein and carnitine contents and the alpha-glucosidase activity in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis of the ELV rats were lower than those of the controls (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There were structural and functional changes in the epididymis of adolescent ELV rats, which may contribute to the infertility caused by varicocele.</p>