Analysis of the social and clinical factors affecting the age of children when receiving surgery for hypospadias: a retrospective study of 1611 cases in a single center / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We aimed to explore the associations between the age at which children undergo surgery for hypospadias and a range of social and clinical factors in a single center. Our aim was to promote the early surgical treatment of children with hypospadias. For a 6-year period, social and clinical data were collected from all children undergoing surgery to repair hypospadias in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Chongqing, China), located in southwest of China. We analyzed the correlations between age at surgery and a range of social and clinical factors. A total of 1611 eligible cases were recruited, with a mean age of 54.3 months and a median age of 42 months: 234 cases (14.5%) were classified into a "timely operation" group, 419 (26.0%) cases into a "subtimely operation" group, and 958 (59.5%) cases into a "delayed operation" group. According to multivariate regression analyses, the higher the regional economic level, the closer the urethral opening to the perineum, and the higher the educational level of the guardians was, the younger the children were when they underwent the initial surgery for hypospadias; this was also the case for families without other children. Our subgroup analysis showed that the primary educational level of the guardians was a risk factor for subtimely surgery in their children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.15, P < 0.05). A lower regional economic level (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.26-2.78, P < 0.01), a lower educational level of the guardians (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.31-6.41, P < 0.01), and an anterior-segment urethral opening (OR

Effect of outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were obtained from wild-type Escherichia coli with ultracentrifugation method, and the morphology of the OMVs was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the vesicle diameter was determined using MALVERN ZEN3690. Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were treated with the OMVs at low (100 µg/mL), moderate (500 µg/mL) and high (1000 µg/mL) doses, and 24, 48 and 72 h later, the cell proliferation activity was detected with MTT assay. The expressions of apoptosis-related marker caspase-3 was detected using Western blotting, and TUNEL assay was performed to detect the cell apoptosis. The migration capacity of SK-N-SH cells was evaluated using Transwell migration assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The isolated OMVs showed a circular or elliptical hollow structure with double-layer membrane and a diameter range of 30-450 nm. Compared with the control cells, SK-N-SH cells treated with the OMVs showed significantly lowered cell proliferation capacity with enhanced expression of caspase-3. Treatment of the cells with the OMVs resulted in increased cell apoptosis and significantly lowered migration capacity (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The OMVs derived from Escherichia coli can produce cytotoxicity against SK-N-SH cells and might serve as a therapeutic agent for refractory neuroblastoma.</p>

Study on phototherapeutic keratotomy for bacterial corneal lesions in rabbit / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To study the effect of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) on rabbit bacterial corneal ulcer model and explore the clinical potential of this method. METHODS:Totally 48 eyes from all the 24 New Zealand rabbits were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and bacterial corneal ulcer model was established successfully. At 1d after inoculation,48 eyes were given levofloxacin eye drops when corneal ulcer was confirmed. Then slit lamp inspection and optical coherence tomography ( OCT) were performed to measure the central corneal ulcer depth. All the rabbits right eyes were treated with PTK, as an observation group,left eyes were not treated as a control group. The eye section were observed by slit lamp and central thickness of corneal ulcer was measured by OCT at 3 and 7d after this operation. Rabbits were sacrificed and the cornea was removed for pathological section 7d later. RESULTS: The corneal ulcers in both groups had a tendency to heal, showing a decrease in ulcer area and smoothness of the surface. There was no significant difference in the depth of corneal ulcer between the observation group and the control group before PTK (t=0.706,P=0.484). The difference between the two groups of eyes at 3 and 7d after PTK was obviously (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PTK can effectively cure rabbit Staphylococcus aureus corneal ulcer and promote ulcer wound healing,which may be used for clinical treatment of patients with bacterial corneal lesions.

Characteristics of autophagy and its effect on cell proliferation in giant cell tumor of bone / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the autophagy characteristics of giant cell tumor of bone and its effect on cell proliferation. Methods Giant cell tumors of bone (GCT-0404 cells) were cultured in vitro and treated with serum-starvation, rapamycin and inhibitor chloroquine. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the autophagic markers LC3 and Beclin 1 expression. Immunofluorescence method was used to show intracellular autophagy formation. Inverted microscope was used to observe the cell morphology. CCK-8 assays were used to detect the cell viability. Results Green fluorescent spots that represented the transformation level of LC3-I to LC3-Ⅱ increased significantly (P＜0.05) by serum-starvation, rapamycin and inhibitor chloroquine respectively, but the expression level of Beclin 1 was not raised. In addition, the cell morphology changed significantly, and cell proliferation was inhibited after serum-starvation, and treatment with rapamycin and inhibitor chloroquine (P＜0.05), Conclusion The changes of autophagy caused by serum starvation, rapamycin and inhibitor chloroquine in GCT-0404 cells may be involved in the down-regulation of cell proliferation.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust results in reproductive dysfunction in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) from automobile exhaust on the reproductive function of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five male SD rats, weighing 80 - 94 g and aged 28 days, were randomly assigned to receive intra-tracheal administration of 0.9% normal saline (control group, n = 15), PM2. 5 at 2 μg per 100 g body weight per day (low-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), and PM2.5 at 16 μg per 100 g body weight per day (high-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), qd, for 60 successive days. After the last 24-hour exposure, 10 rats were taken from each group for copulation with normal female ones, while the others were sacrificed, their testes removed for sperm count and deformity, pathological examination, and determination of the Connexin43 expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The conception rate was significantly decreased in the low- and high-dose PM2.5 groups as compared with that of the control (70% and 50% vs 100%), and so were the sperm count and quality. The rats in the PM2.5-exposed groups showed significantly disordered histological structure of the seminiferous tubules, reduced sperm count in the testicular lumen, some exfoliated secondary spermatocytes, downregulated Connexin43 expression in the testis, and damaged blood-testis barrier.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust damages the reproductive function of male SD rats.</p>

Testicular teratoma in children: Analysis of 64 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the diagnosis and treatment of testicular teratoma in children by analysis of clinical data.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 64 cases of testicular teratoma treated in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from 1995 to 2014.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-one of the cases presented painless scrotal mass with a sense of bearing down and the other 3 cases were confirmed because of empty scrotum diagnosed as cryptorchidism. The level of serum alpha fetal protein ( AFP) was obviously increased in 46 cases but normal in the other 18 preoperatively. Ultrasonography manifested abnormal inhomogeneous echo zones with calcification or necrosis. X-ray examination presented patchy or curvilinear high-density shadows in 28 cases. Forty-one of the patients underwent testis-sparing surgery (TSS) , 20 received high inguinal orchiectomy, and 3 refused surgical treatment. Pathological examination revealed 3 mature germinal layers in the 49 cases of mature teratoma and immature germinal tissue, including the original neural tube, and 11 cases of immature teratoma. The mature cases were exempted from chemotherapy, while the immature cases received the combination of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (PEB). The patients were followed up for 2 years postoperatively, which revealed no recurrence or metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Most children with testicular teratoma presented painless scrotal mass with a sense of bearing down and with abnormal serum AFP in most cases. Ultrasonography and plain radiography of the scrotum contribute to the diagnosis of the tumor. TSS is the main treatment option and intraoperative frozen-section can help the surgeons decide on the surgical mode. Postoperative chemotherapy is necessitated for immature teratoma but not for mature cases.</p>

Clinical significance of HIF-1 alpha, MMP-2, and e-cadherin expression in rectal carcinoma

To investigate the clinical significance of aberrant hypoxia inducible factor-la [HIF-la], matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2], and E-cadherin expression in rectal adenocarcinoma. Prospective study.Chongqing Medical University, Chinese Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China A total of 88 rectal adenocarcinoma tissues and 12 normal mucosa specimens were included in the study. The expression of HIF-la, MMP-2 and E-cadherin protein were detected by using immunohistochemistry. Clinico-pathological factors associated with expression of HIF-la, MMP-2, and E-cadherin were analyzed using the x[2] test. Survival curves were plotted according to the Kaplan-Meier method. HIF-la, MMP-2, and E-cadherin protein expression Results: HIF-la, MMP-2, and E-cadherin proteins were expressed in 65.9%, 71.6%, and 28.4% of rectal cancer tissues, respectively. However, HIF-la and MMP-2 proteins were not expressed, but E-cadherin protein was strongly expressed in 12 normal tissue samples. Altered HIF-la and MMP-2 protein expression was associated with lymph node and distant metastases and Duke's classification, while loss of E-cadherin protein expression was associated with tumor de-differentiation and lymph node and distant metastases. Combining these three markers together, the association was even more significant. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that HIF-la and MMP-2 protein expression but loss of E-cadherin protein expression significantly contributed to poor overall patient survival. Altered HIF-la, MMP-2, and E-cadherin protein expression significantly contributed to the progression of rectal carcinoma and poorer patient survival

Dynesys dynamic fixation and lumbar spinal fusion for treatment of lumbar degenerative disease: A clinical comparative study / 第二军医大学学报

To evaluate the value of Dynesys dynamic fixation for treatment of lumbar degenerative disease by comparing with lumbar spinal fusion. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients with lumbar degenerative disease, who were treated inChanghai Hospital from June 2009 to June 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-six patients, including 15 males and 11 females, with age ranging 32-56 years (average [42.45 ± 10.12] years), received Dynesys implantation for segments L4-L5 (13 cases) and L5-S1 (13 cases). Thirty-four patients, including 20 males and 14 females, with age ranging 38­60 years(average [45.24 ± 12.15] years), received fusion implantation for segments L4-L5 (18 cases) and L5S (16 cases). The following parameters were observed and compared between the two groups: operation time, blood loss, hospital stay, preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI), ODI at last follow-up, low back and leg pain visual analogue scale (VAS), results of health status questionnaire (SF-36), segmental angulation degree of lumbar spine, and intervertebral height. Results All the 60 patients were followed up for 3-4 years (average [3.2 ± 0.2] years). The operation time and intra-operative blood loss were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05), and no difference was found for average hospital days. The ODI, VAS, and SF-36 clinical scores at last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before operation in the two groups (P < 0.01), with the improvement in Dynesys group being more significant than the fusion group (P < 0.01). The segmental angulation degree of lumbar spine had no noticeable improvement in the two groups at last follow- up, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. There was no intervertebral height loss at the last follow-up in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in intervertebral heights between the two groups. Conclusion Dynesys dynamic lumbar fixation shows no more advantages in terms of radiological results compared with the fusion group. Moreover, fusion fixation is not suggested to have more adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) than Dynesys dynamic lumbar fixation. But clinically Dynesys dynamic lumbar fixation yields a greater improvement, with the advantages of less bleeding and shorter operation time. In middle-aged and elderly patients with degenerative diseases, Dynesys dynamic lumbar fixation is an acceptable choice.

Establishment of a rat model of flutamide-induced cryptorchidism with remaining gonocytes / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of flutamide (Flu) on the development of testicular germocytes in SD rats, and to establish a rat model for further researches on the maldevelopment of cryptorchidism gonocytes (Go).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant SD rats were subcutaneously injected with Flu from gestational day (GD) 12 to 21 to establish a model of cryptorchidism. The testes of the newborns were harvested on postnatal day (PD) 1, 10, 20 and 80 for observation of their morphological and histological changes by HE staining and detection of the expression of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Flu induced 43.9% (29/66) of cryptorchidism in the exposed rats. Significant differences were found in the testicular weight and organ coefficient between the Flu and the control groups on PD 20 and 80. Gos remained in the center of seminiferous tubules of the Flu-induced testis on PD 10, and in the center of seminiferous tubules in the cryptorchids' testicular tissues on PD 20 and 80. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of NCAM on the membrane of the remaining Gos, and RT-PCR revealed significantly up-regulated expression of NCAM mRNA in the Flu-induced testes on PD 10 and 20 as compared with the controls (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A rat model of Flu-induced cryptorchidism with remaining Gos was successfully established, which could be used to study the mechanism and management of the maldevelopment of cryptorchidism gonocytes.</p>

Surgical correction of buried penis in children by solution and fixation of the penile venter / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a simple and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of the buried penis in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We designed a new surgical procedure for the treatment of the buried penis, making a "V" incision in the venter of the radix penis, solving the superficial and deep fascia and the abnormal attachment of the dartos muscle, and fixing the left and right side of the radix penis respectively to 1 and 11 o'clock points in the fascia of the pubis nodus in the knee-chest position. A total of 38 children with the buried penis underwent the newly designed procedure and were followed up for 2-6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were discharged with desirable cosmetic appearance of the penis and completely revealed penile shafts. Follow-up showed satisfactory penile shape in 35 cases (92.11%), slightly buried penis in 2 and cicatricial constriction of the ostium praeputiale in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The newly designed surgical procedure of solution and fixation of the penile venter is simple and effective for the treatment of the buried penis in children and well worthy to be introduced into clinical practice.</p>

Phyllanthus urinaria extract promotes N-cadherin expression in nitrogen mustard-disrupted testicular tissues in vivo / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the protective effect of the Phyllanthus Urinaria (PU) extract on the N-cadherin expression in the testicular tissues disrupted by nitrogen mustard (HN2) in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HN2 was intraperitoneally injected into male KM mice at the dose of 5 mg/kg to make reproductive toxicity models, and at the same time PU was administered for intervention at the dose of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. N-cadherin distribution, mRNA and protein expression in the testicular tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>N-cadherin was mainly distributed in the membrane and cytoplasm of Sertoli cells at the basement of seminiferous epithelia, Leydig cells and peritubular cells, scarcely expressed in the basement of seminiferous epithelia and peritubular cells after HN2 administration. The expressions of mRNA and proteins of N-cadherin were significantly elevated with the increased dose of PU (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control, the distribution and expression of N-cadherin showed no significant differences in either the high-dose PU group or the HN2 with high-dose PU intervention group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PU extract can effectively promote the N-cadherin expression in the testis tissues disrupted by HN2.</p>

Hemodynamic and histological effects of unilateral testicular torsion on the contralateral testis in immature rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the hemodynamic and histological effects of unilateral testicular torsion on the contralateral testis in immature rats, and compare the results of different treatments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Testicular torsion models were established in 3-week-old rats and randomized into a normal control, a testicular torsion, a reposition and an orchiectomy group. The systolic peak velocity of the right testicular artery was measured by color Doppler before and 8, 12, 24 and 72 h after the operation. Histological observations of the right testes were performed 2 h after testicular torsion, 12 h after testicular reposition and orchiectomy and when the rats were 9 weeks old.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blood supply of the immature right testes increased continuously after testicular torsion of the left side. Interstitial edema and ultrastructure changes were observed in the testicular torsion, reposition and orchiectomy groups. The right testis weight was significantly greater in both the testicular torsion and orchiectomy groups than in the normal control group of the 9-week-old rats (P < 0.01). No significant differences were noted in the right testicular seminiferous tubule diameter (STD) , count measure spermatogenic (CMSE) and testicular biopsy score (TBS) among the four groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Unilateral testicular torsion increases blood supply and induces histological changes in the contralateral testis in immature rats. Reposition and orchiectomy following light injury are prognostic of similar results.</p>

Effect of cyclophosphamide on spermatogonial stem cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To perform a preliminary study on the dysfunction of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) induced by cyclophosphamide.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to development stage of spermatogenesis in Wistar rat, 72 rats were divided into three groups, 1, 3 and 9 weeks groups, respectively. Then 24 rats per group were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, and 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide was injected by intraperitoneal injection in experimental groups, with the same volume of normal saline in the control. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells were detected after 24 hours by TUNEL. Then 60 one-week rats, whose germ cells were only SSCs, were randomly divided into experimental and control group. We detected c-Kit by immunohistochemistry and cell cycle by flow cytometry at 24 hours, 3 and 9 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in apoptosis of germ cells in 1 week between experimental group and control group ( P > 0.05); however, there were significant differences among other groups. The ratio of S stage and c-Kit expression of spermatogonial cells were decreased in one-week rats at 24 hours, 3 and 9 weeks in experimental group compared with the control, respectively (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cyclophosphamide does not significantly induce SSCs apoptosis. It may be more important to interfere the proliferation and differentiation of SSCs.</p>

Significance of urinary protein in evaluating the damage degree of diseased kidneys in children with hydronephrosis / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the damage degree of diseased kidneys in children with hydrone- phrosis using urinary?2-microglobulin(?2-MG),albumin(Alb),T-H glycoprotein(THP)and immuno- globulin(IgG).Methods The?2-MG,Alb,THP and IgG in pelvis urine in diseased kidneys and in healthy kidneys(as controls)were detected in 78 children with congenital hydronephrosis by radioimmuno- assay;at the same time urinary creatinine(Cr)was detected in 36 cases of them.Pathologic changes of the diseased kidneys were graded;and the correlations of pathologic grades with?2-MG,Alb,THP,IgG and?2-MG/Cr,Alb/Cr,THP/Cr,IgG/Cr were analyzed by Spearman's test.Results In healthy and hydro- nephrotic pelvises,the relevant parameters were as follows.Urine?2-MG was(130.06?22.02)ng/ml vs(386.18?42.15)ng/ml;Alb was(80.52?9.32)ng/ml vs(275.54?69.46)ng/ml,respectively (both P＜0.05).Urine?2-MG/Cr was(0.16?0.04)ng/?mol vs(1.57?0.39)ng/?mol;Alb/Cr was (0.11?0.03)ng/?mol vs(1.07?0.56)ng/?mol(both P＜0.01).THP was(25.80?9.02)ng/ml vs(31.43?10.56)ng/ml;and IgG was(15.21?3.56)ng/ml vs(20.52?10.85)ng/ml(P＞0.05). THP/Cr was(0.05?0.01)ng/?mol vs(0.14?0.06)ng/?mol;and IgG/Cr was(0.04?0.01)ng/?mol vs(0.12?0.05)ng/?mol(P＜0.05).There was significant correlation between urine?2-MG,Alb lev- els and pathologic grades(P＜0.05),also between?2-MG/Cr,Alb/Cr levels and pathologic grades(P＜0.01).There was positive correlation between THP,IgG and pathologic grades but with no significance(P＞0.05),also between THP/Cr,IgG/Cr and pathologic grades with significance(P＜0.05).Conclu- sions For hydronephrotic kidneys,urine?2-MG/Cr can evaluate the damage degree of nephric tubules, whereas urine Alb/Cr can evaluate that of glomeruli.Increase in THP/Cr and IgG/Cr respectively indicate the impaired nephric tubules and glomeruli in children with congenital hydronephrosis.