Virtual touch tissue imaging quantitative evaluation on normal adult testicular spermatogenesis / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To measure the shear wave velocity (SWV) of normal adult testis using virtual touch tissue imaging quantification(VTIQ), and to analyze the main impact factors of testicular stiffness and the value of VTIQ in evaluation of testicular spermatogenesis. Methods Totally 200 normal adult male volunteers were recruited and underwent routine testicular ultrasonography for the measurement of bilateral testicular volume. VTIQ technique was used to measure SWV of the upper, middle and lower poles of the bilateral testis. The differences of SWV in bilateral testis and testis of different age groups were compared. The correlation of SWV with age, testicular volume and sperm motility and density was analyzed. Results SWV of both the left and right lateral testis of 200 normal adult males were (1.23±0.18)m/s, and no statistically significant difference was found (t=-0.376, P=0.710). There were significant differences of SWV among the 21-30 years old group, 31-40 years old group, 41-50 years old and 51-60 years old group (all P<0.001). Testicular SWV was positively correlated with age (r=0.454, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with testicular volume, sperm motility and density (r=-0.649, -0.668, -0.675, all P<0.001). Conclusion VTIQ technique can quantitatively measure testicular tissue hardness, which may be used to initially evaluate testicular spermatogenesis.

Anti-inflammatory Actions of Heshi Yangshen Recipe on Rat Model of Nephrotic Syndrome / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory action of Heshi Yangshen Recipe on rat model of nephrotic syndrome induced by adriamycin. Methods Rat model of nephrotic syndrome was established by tail venous injection of one-dose of adriamycin. SD rats were divided into normal group(N = 10),model group(N =11), positive control group (N = 12), and high-, middle- , low-dose Chinese medicine groups (N = 12, respectively). Two weeks after modeling,rats in the normal group and model group were given gastric gavage of same volume of normal saline, rats in positive control group were given gastric gavage of benazepril aqueous solution at a dose of 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 in the former period of 15 days and at 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 in the later period of 20 days, and rats in high-,middle- ,low-dose groups were given gastric gavage of Heshi Yangshen Recipe at a dosage of 33.26, 16.63, 8.32 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively, for 30 continuous groups. During the treatment period, the general situation of rats was observed. After the completion of medication, the levels of 24-hour urinary protein, urine total proteins, urine creatinine were measured by biochemical analyzer, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)in rat renal tissue of various groups were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results The increase of body mass in all of the modeled rats was significantly slowed down (P < 0.01 as compared with the normal group). Compared with the normal group, the levels of 24-hour urinary protein, serum hs-CRP, and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in rat renal tissue were increased in the model group (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the level of 24-hour urinary protein in the positive control group and high-dose Chinese medicine group was decreased (P < 0.05), and the levels of serum Hs-CRP, and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in rat renal tissue of the positive control group and high-,middle-,low-dose Chinese medicine groups were decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion Heshi Yangshen Recipe exerts certain anti-inflammatory action, and its mechanism may be related with the decrease of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. High dosage of Heshi Yangshen Recipe has the strongest therapeutic effect.

Effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure on placental development in pregnant mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on the growth and development of placenta, uterine natural killer (uNK) cell number and angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnant mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From day 1 of pregnancy, pregnant mice were exposed daily to DEHP by oral gavage at 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg for 13 consecutive days. The uterine and placental tissues were then harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemistry to examine the effect of DEHP exposure on the growth and development of the placenta and angiogenesis and uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the mice exposed to 500 mg/kg DEHP, but not those exposed to 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significantly reduced number of embryo implantation (P<0.05). DEHP exposure significantly increased the rate of abortion. DEHP exposure at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently lowered the placental weight compared with that in the control group (0.0637±0.0133, 0.0587±0.0176, 0.0524±0.0183 g vs 0.0786±0.0143 g, respectively; P<0.01), and significantly reduced the total area of the placenta and area of spongiotrophoblasts. DEHP exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fetal vascular branches, and collapse and atresia of blood vessels. The mice exposed to DEHP at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg had significantly lowered numbers of uNK cells (83.2±10.3, 60.7±12.4, and 50.4±14.5/HP, respectively) as compared with the control group (105.1±14.2/HP) at the maternal-fetal interface (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DEHP exposure significantly affects the growth and development of the placenta in mice possibly by suppressing angiogenesis and reducing uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy.</p>

Forearm skin flap with dorsal interosseous artery transplanted in reversal position to repair the skin and soft tissue defect of palm and thumb / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To summarize the method of forearm skin flap with dorsal interosseous artery placed by turning the proximal end of the flap to the distal side of the wound to repair skin and soft tissue defect of palm and thumb of hand,and put forward the key points of operation.Methods From 2008 to 2013,the forearm skin flap with interosseous dorsal artery to repair skin and soft tissue defect of palm and the part between thumb and index finger in 20 cases.Dorsal interosseous artery in the forearm is passing through between superficial and deep layers of extensor muscles and sends out 5-13 cutaneous branches to dorsal antebrachium skin.The large skin flap has good blood supply with high survival rate.Results All flaps survived,and good results were achieved in all 20 cases.Conclusion The flap preserved two main arteries from upper limb with good blood supply,and the amount of blood supply of the flap depended on the size of flap,and the wound of donor site can be directly sutured up or covered with free skin graft,thus minimizing the alteration of appearance and function of donor area.

Changes in chemokine receptor 4, interleukin-6, and collagen X expression in the ATDC5 cell line stimulated by cyclic tensile strain and stromal cell-derived factor-1 / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study further explores the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) signaling axis mechanism in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (OA) by detecting the changes in CXCR4, interleukin (IL)-6, and collagen X expression in the ATDC5 cell line stimulated by the cyclic tensile strain and SDF-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) was used to induce ATDC5 cells to differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells. After three weeks, the cells were divided into two groups: those with and without cyclic tensile strain. These groups were further divided into the negative control and SDF-1 groups. Strain force of 20% was applied. After 12 h, the total proteins were extracted from cells of the four groups, and Western blot analysis was used to detect the changes in CXCR4, IL-6, and collagen X expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SDF-1 could enhance CXCR4, IL-6, and collagen X expressions in the chondrocytes, and 20% tensile strain force could further upregulate the three factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under abnormal tensile force, SDF-1 can upregulate its specific receptor CXCR4, thus increasing its-binding efficiency and resulting in the activation of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. This condition enhances the expressions of IL-6 and other inflammatory factors and directly damages to cartilage tissue. Such damage directly promotes chondrocyte hypertrophy, which enhances collagen X expression.</p>

Effects of perindopril on expression of kidney aquaporin-2 and urine aquaporin-2 excretion in chronic heart failure rats / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expression of kidney aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and urine AQP2 excretion in chronic heart failure (CHF) rats and investigate effects of perindopril on the expression and excretion of AQP2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty rats were randomized into three groups: control group, CHF group, CHF + Perindopril group. According to left ventricular myocardial infarction size, CHF group and perindopril group were further divided into heart failure subgroup (LVMI ≥ 20%) and cardiac functional compensation subgroup (LVMI < 20%), respectively. Blood and urine samples were collected from the rats for measuring serum Na(+), urine volume and urine osmolality. The concentration of plasma arginine vasopressin (p-AVP) was detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Immunohistochemistry, semi-quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed for measurement of kidney inner medullary AQP2. The concentration of Urine AQP2 was measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (indirect ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blot examinations revealed increased quantity of the inner kidney medullary AQP2 expression (0.2013 ± 0.0417), AQP2 mRNA (0.98 ± 0.33) and AQP2 protein expression (0.94 ± 0.21) in heart failure subgroup (n = 13) compared to control group (n = 20, 0.1518 ± 0.0214, 0.58 ± 0.51, 0.51 ± 0.46), which could be significantly by perindopril (n = 13, 0.0712 ± 0.0218, 0.76 ± 0.45, 0.82 ± 0.49, all P < 0.05 vs. heart failure subgroup). The concentration of plasma arginine AVP [(19.72 ± 3.91) ng/ml] and Urine AQP2 [(82.52 ± 11.77) ng/L] were significantly higher in heart failure subgroup than in control group [n = 20, (51.67 ± 12.58) ng/L, (6.94 ± 3.10) ng/ml] (P < 0.05), which were significantly reduced by perindopril [n = 13, (15.65 ± 4.10) ng/L, (71.65 ± 9.21) ng/ml].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased expression of the kidney inner medullary AQP2 and the excretion of urine AQP2 in chronic heart failure rats could be reduced by perindopril.</p>

Cyclopeptides from Rubia schumanniana / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To separate and identify cyclopeptides of tubers of Rubia schumanniana.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The 70% methanol extracts from tubers of Rubia schumanniana were separated and purified by silica gel, RP-18, Sephedax LH-20 and HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Nine cyclopeptides were separated and identified as RA- II (1), RA-V (2), RA-VIII (3), rubiyunnanin C (4), RA-X (5), RY-II (6), RA- I (7), RA-XIII (8) and RA-XIII-OMe (9), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All of nine cyclopeptides were separated from R. schumanniana for the first time.</p>

Effect of c-myb on hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells / 生理学报

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of antisense c-myb oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The effects of cAMP, Ca(2+) and cycloheximide (CYX) on c-Myb protein expression and testosterone secretion were also observed. The results showed that antisense c-myb ODN inhibited hCG-induced testosterone secretion of isolated rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, integral optical density immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells was also remarkably reduced. Nonsense tat ODN had no effect on Leydig cells. Further experiments showed that dbcAMP (100 micromol/L) obviously increased hCG-induced testosterone secretion and integral optical density (IOD) immunostaining of Myb in Leydig cells. Verapamil (10 micromol/L), a Ca(2+) channel blocker, and cycloheximide (50 microg/ml), a protein synthesis inhibitor, reduced the immunostaining of c-Myb, and also lowered hCG-induced testosterone secretion in isolated rat Leydig cells. The results indicate that c-myb closely correlates with hCG-induced testosterone secretion, and that cAMP and Ca(2+)-dependent pathway participates in the expression of protooncogene.

The relationship between proto-oncogene and testicular function / 中华男科学杂志

Proto-oncogene, the fundamental component of cellular genome, is rarely or finitely expressed in normal conditions, and can regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation and information conduction. Many proto-oncogenes show the temporal and specific expression during spermatogenesis. The expression of some proto-oncogenes reinforces in the growth and development of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. To explore the relationship between proto-oncogene and testicular function and that between proto-oncogene and regulative factors of testicular function helps to comprehend the regulation of the testicular function at the molecular level.

Repair the infra-orbital defect with a rotation flap after basal cell carcinoma resection / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the method repairing the infra-orbital defect after basal cell carcinoma resection.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A facial rotation flap was applied to repair the infra-orbital defects from tumor resection in 28 cases.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All defects were repaired by this one-stage method, which avoided skin graft, shortened the operation time and minimized the operation trauma. The incision sears are inconspicuous. The facial contours are more satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This technique is simple and effective in repairing the infra-orbital defects, worthy of extensive application.</p>