Safety and efficacy of the early administration of levosimendan in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and elevated NT-proBNP levels: An Early Management Strategy of Acute Heart Failure (EMS-AHF) / 中华内科杂志

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.

The effect of BMI and age on the outcomes of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy: a retrospective analysis of 181 patients operated by a single surgeon / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

To design a treatment plan for patients with epididymal obstruction, we explored the potential impact of factors such as body mass index (BMI) and age on the surgical outcomes of vasoepididymostomy (VE). In this retrospective study, 181 patients diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia (OA) due to epididymal obstruction between September 2014 and September 2017 were reviewed. All patients underwent single-armed microsurgical intussusception VEs with longitudinal two-suture placement performed by a single surgeon (KH) in a single hospital (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Six factors that could possibly influence the patency rates were analyzed, including BMI, age, mode of anastomosis, site of anastomosis, and sperm motility and quantity in the intraoperative epididymal fluid. Single-factor outcome analysis was performed via Chi-square test and multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. A total of 159 (87.8%, 159/181) patients were followed up. The follow-up time (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 27.7 ± 9.3 months, ranging from 12 months to 48 months. The overall patency rate was 73.0% (116/159). The multivariable analysis revealed that BMI and age significantly influenced the patency rate (P = 0.008 and 0.028, respectively). Younger age (≤28 years; odds ratio [OR] = 3.531, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.397-8.924) and lower BMI score (<26.0 kg m-2; OR = 2.352, 95% CI: 1.095-5.054) appeared to be associated with a higher patency rate. BMI and age were independent factors affecting the outcomes of microsurgical VEs depending on surgical expertise and the use of advanced technology.

Prognostic value of perioperative change of neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase in coronary circulation on perioperative myocardial injury and clinical outcome of patients underwent surgical valve replacement / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of observing perioperative changes of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) in coronary artery circulation in patients underwent valve replacement surgery. Methods: This perspective cohort study was performed in patients who underwent valvular surgery in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Fuwai Hospital from June 2021 to June 2022. Patients were divided into perioperative myocardial injury group and age-, sex- and type of cardiac procedure-matched non-perioperative myocardial injury control group in the ratio of 1∶1. Perioperative myocardial injury was defined as cardiac troponin T (cTnT)>0.8 μg/L on the first postoperative day (POD), and the cTnT level on the second POD increased by more than 10% compared with the cTnT level on the first POD. During the operation, blood samples were collected from the coronary sinus before clamping ascending aorta, and within 5 minutes after de-clamping ascending aorta. Then, the levels of MPO and NE on coronary sinus were continuously measured. The death, severe ventricular arrhythmia, pneumonia, re-intubation, repeat cardiac surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), mechanical ventilation time and the duration of intensive care unit (ICU) were recorded. The levels of MPO and NE and the incidence of clinical outcomes were compared between the myocardial injury group and the control group. The independent risk factors of myocardial injury were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 130 patients were enrolled, aged (60.6±7.6) years old, with 59 males (45.4%). There were 65 patients in the myocardial injury group and 65 patients in the control group. During hospitalization, there was no death, ECMO, IABP and CRRT cases in both groups. Compared with the control group, the incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmia (13.8%(9/65) vs. 3.1%(2/65), P=0.03), pneumonia (20.0%(13/65) vs. 3.1%(2/65), P=0.03), re-intubation (6.2%(4/65) vs. 0, P=0.04) was significantly higher in myocardial injury group. The mechanical ventilation time (16.8(10.7, 101.7) h vs. 7.5(4.7, 15.1) h, P<0.01), and the duration of ICU (3.7(2.7, 18.9) vs. 2.7(1.8, 6.9)d, P<0.01) were significantly longer in myocardial injury group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the levels of MPO and NE in coronary sinus blood between the two groups before aortic clamping (all P>0.05). However, MPO ((551.3±124.2) μg/L vs. (447.2±135.9) μg/L, P<0.01) and NE ((417.0±83.1)μg/L vs. (341.0±68.3)μg/L, P<0.01) after 5 min aortic de-clamping were significantly higher in myocardial injury group than in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of NE (OR=1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.02, P<0.01), MPO (OR=1.00, 95%CI: 1.00-1.01, P=0.02) and mechanical ventilation time (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.01-1.06, P=0.02) were independent risk factors of myocardial injury in patients after surgical valvular replacement. Conclusion: Perioperative myocardial injury is related poor clinical outcomes, perioperative NE and MPO in coronary artery circulation are independent risk factors of perioperative myocardial injury in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery.

Effect of CD56 Expression on Prognosis of AML Patients with AML/ETO Mutation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of CD56 in the patients suffered from acute myeloid leukemia with AML/ETO mutation.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 60 newly diagnosed AML patients with AML/ETO from January 2012 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics and outcome between CD56 and CD56 patients were compared.@*RESULTS@#There were significant differences in CR rate after one course chemotherapy, relapse rate within 1 year and gene mutations between the CD56 positive and negative patients (P＜0.05). The RFS and OS of CD56 positive patients were significantly lower than those of CD56 negative patients (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of CD56 may be an important factor of poor prognosis in AML patients with AML/ETO.

Altered microRNA profiles of testicular biopsies from patients with nonobstructive azoospermia / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Many studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles during the spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the altered miRNA profiles of testicular tissues in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Using microarray technology, the miRNA expression profiles of testicular biopsies from patients with NOA and of normal testicular tissues were determined. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to predict the enriched biological processes and functions of identified miRNAs. The microarray data were validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the results of which were then validated with a larger sample size. Correlations between the miRNA expression levels and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of miRNAs for azoospermia. Hierarchical clustering showed that 129 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between the NOA and control groups. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in spermatogenesis, cell cycle, and mitotic prometaphase. In the subsequent qRT-PCR assays, the selected miRNA expression levels were consistent with the microarray results, and similar validated results were obtained with a larger sample size. Some clinical characteristics were significantly associated with the expression of certain miRNAs. In particular, we identified a combination of two miRNAs (miR-10b-3p and miR-34b-5p) that could serve as a predictive biomarker of azoospermia. This study provides altered miRNA profiles of testicular biopsies from NOA patients and examines the roles of miRNAs in spermatogenesis. These profiles may be useful for predicting and diagnosing the presence of testicular sperm in individuals with azoospermia.

The relationship between PD-L1 statusandradiosensitivity of breast cancer / 医学研究生学报

Objective Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays an important role in the treatment of malignant tumors. Thestudy explores the relationship between PD-L1 status and breast cancer radiotherapy and clinical prognosis. Methods Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database analyze the relationshipof PD-L1 expression, radiotherapy and prognosis in breast cancer. 1007 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Based on the median value of CD274 mRNA expression levels in the database, the total sample was divided into a PD-L1 -high state group (503 cases) and a PD-L1-low state group (504 cases). Survival analysis was carried out for patients in the high and low state group with and without radiotherapyrespectively. Results The univariate analysis showed that the overall survival rate was improved in patients with PD-L1high status compared with patients with PD-L1-low status. The difference was statistically significant(P=0.047). InPD-L1-high status group, univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the overall survival rate between patients with radiotherapy and without radiotherapy, and the P values were 0.352 and 0.242 respectively. However, the overall survival rate of radiotherapy patients with PD-L1-low status group was significantly improved （HR0.550, 95%CI:0.335～0.904, P=0.017）, and there was still statistical significance after multivariate factors adjustment （HR0.415, 95%CI:0.194～0.872, P=0.025）. Chi-square analysis showed that PD-L1 status was associated with ER status (χ2=18.44，P<0.001), HER2 status （χ2=7.943，P=0.047） and molecular typing (χ2=14.52，P=0.006), but not with age, histological type, surgical treatment, postoperative tissue margin status and PR status. Conclusion The PD-L1 status was associated with the radiosensitivity of breast cancer. The overall survival rate of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with PD-L1⁃low expression was significantly improved.It is speculated that PD-L1 may be a radiosensitivity gene for breast cancer.

Inheritance and development of traditional Mongolian medicine processing / 中国中药杂志

The processing of Mongolian medicine,which is called " mort harl" in Mongolian language,refers to a traditional processing technology to " tame" some toxic,aggressive,ineffective or inconvenient Mongolian medicines,so as to make it " compliant" to clinical needs. It is the summary of long-term experience in drug preparation by Mongolian medicine experts,one of the bridges for the dialectical unity of Mongolian medicine,the essential content in evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Mongolian medicine and the study of Mongolian medicine modernization,and also the important soft power carrier of " intangible cultural heritage" and " grassland culture" in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. In this study,the processing history,purpose,crafts,mechanism,processing standards and quality standards of Mongolian medicine were explained,and some suggestions were proposed for the problems of the Mongolian medicine processing and development: focus on the basic theory of Mongolian medicine and the clinical experience of Mongolian medicine in the development of traditional Mongolian medicine processing; strengthen the literature research on the processing method of Mongolian medicine; establish comprehensive and systematic Mongolian medicine concocts standards and quality standards; enhance the research and development of special processing equipment and process quality control instruments for Mongolian medicine; and strengthen the training of professional technicians,the protection of copyright in Mongolian medicine processing,and scientific research on Mongolian medicine processing. In the inheritance of the tradition,the latest achievements of modern scientific development can be also absorbed to provide reference for the further development of traditional Mongolian medicine processing technology.

Clinical effect and safety of different maintenance doses of caffeine citrate in treatment of apnea in very low birth weight preterm infants: a prospective randomized controlled trial / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical effect and safety of different maintenance doses of caffeine citrate in the treatment of apnea in very low birth weight preterm infants.@*METHODS@#A total of 78 very low birth weight preterm infants with primary apnea were enrolled who were admitted from January 2016 to January 2018. They were randomly divided into high-dose caffeine group with 38 children and low-dose caffeine group with 40 children. Both groups received a loading dose of 20 mg/kg caffeine citrate, and 24 hours later, the children in the high-dose caffeine group were given a maintenance dose of 10 mg/kg, and those in the low-dose caffeine group were given a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg. The two groups were compared in terms of response rate and incidence rate of adverse events.@*RESULTS@#The high-dose caffeine group had a significantly higher response rate than the low-dose caffeine group (71% vs 48%; P0.05). There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Higher maintenance dose of caffeine citrate has a better clinical effect than lower maintenance dose of caffeine citrate in the treatment of apnea in very low birth weight preterm infants, without increasing the incidence rates of adverse drug reactions and serious complications in preterm infants.

Rapamycin Induces Apoptosis of K562 Cells through EZH2/Hedgehog Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of rapamycin-induced apoptosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.@*METHODS@#The chronic granulocytic leukemia K562 cells were divided into 3 groups: A, B and C group were treated with rapamycin of 10, 15 and 20 nmol/L, repectively for 24 h, while the K562 cells in control group were not treated with rapamycin. The effect of rapamycin on the proliferation of K562 cells was detected by MTT, and the effect of rapamycin on the apoptosis of K562 cells was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining. The expression level of EZH2/Hedgehog signaling pathway genes in K562 cells was detected by RT-PCR, and Western blot was used to detect the levels of apoptotic protein and the related signaling pathway proteins in K562 cells.@*RESULTS@#The MTT assay showed that the different concentration of rapamycin had obvious inhibitory effects on the cells, and the survival rate of cells in group C was 37.6%±3.4%, which was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate of cells in group C was 93.1%±8.1%, which was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P＜0.05). By Western blot, it was found that the relative expression levels of Caspase-3 and BAX protein in group C were 0.36 ± 0.04 and 0.39±0.06, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in other groups (P＜0.05), and the level of BCL-2 protein was 0.17±0.03, which was significantly lower than that of other groups (P＜0.05). By RT-PCR, it was found that the mRNA levels of EZH2 and Hedgehog genes in A, B and C groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05), but mRNA level of Ptch1 gene was significantly higher than that of the control (P＜0.05). By Western blot, it was found that the expression levels of EZH2 and Hedgehog protein in A, B and C groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05), but the level of Ptch1 protein was higher than that of the control (P＜0.05). The relative levels of EZH2 and Hedgehog protein in group C were 0.21 ±0.03 and 0.16±0.05 respectively, which were significantly lower than those in other groups (P＜0.05), and Ptch1 protein level were 0.46 ±0.06, significantly higher than that of other groups (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Rapamycin can inhibit the protein expression of EZH2 in leukemic cells, thus interfere with the activation of Hedgehog signaling pathway, promote the expression of apoptotic protein, reduce the level of anti apoptotic protein, and eventually induce apoptosis of leukemia cells.

Ambient ozone pollution is associated with decreased semen quality: Longitudinal analysis of 8945 semen samples from 2015 to 2018 and during pollution-control period in Beijing, China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0-90 days prior) and key stages (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O3 during key stages of 0-9 days and 10-14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O3 concentration, other five pollutants' concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O3 exposure 10-14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.399--0.111; P 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O3 exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O3 should not be neglected during pollution control operation.

Simultaneous determination of six constituents in Yitai Capsules by HPLC / 中成药

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of ginsenoside Re,ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoide Rb1,specnuezhenide,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and oleanolic acid in Yitai Cap sules (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Astragali Radix,Ligustri lucidi Fructus,etc.).METHODS The analysis of 70％ ethanol extract of this drug was performed on a 25 ℃ thermostatic Luna C18 column (4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-O.2％ phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/minin a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 203 nm.RESULTS Six constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges (r ＞ 0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 95.58％-102.12％ with the RSDs of 0.82％-1.73％.CONCLUSION This simple and stable method can be used for the rapid quality control of Yitai Capsules.

Clinical and Angiographic Characteristics Derived From Coronary Artery Computed Tomography in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis / 中国循环杂志

Objectives:To observe the clinical and coronary artery computed tomography(CT) characteristics of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods:Data from 33 consecutive patients with ankylosing spondylitis admitted due to chest discomfort in Fuwai Hospital from January 2014 to June 2017 were analyzed, 33 age and sex matched patients with no ankylosing spondylitis were selected as the control group. Coronary artery CT features was compared between the two groups. Results:Incidence of hypertension, smoking, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, BMI values were similar between the two groups. Blood lipid level (high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and, total cholesterol), creatinine and uric acid values were also similar between the two groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ([14.15±12.81]m/s vs [7.79±6.26]m/s, P=0.013) and high C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ([6.88±5.65]ng/L vs [3.16±3.13]ng/L, P=0.002) values were significantly higher in ankylosing spondylitis group than in the control group. Percent of coronary artery stenosis (＞50%) was significantly higher in ankylosing spondylitis group than in the control group (23[69.7%] vs 14[42.4%], P=0.026). Coronary artery calcification was significantly higher in ankylosing spondylitis group than in the control group (22 [66.7%] vs 9[27.3%], P=0.001). Conclusions:Degree of coronary artery stenosis and calcification as well as inflammatory index (ESR and hs-CRP) are significantly higher in ankylosing spondylitis patients compared to control patients.

Effects of Eucheuma peptides on platelet aggregation and mouse tail thrombosis induced by carrageenan / 解放军医学杂志

Objective This study is designed to investigate the effect of the peptide from Eucheuma on platelet aggregation and mouse tail thrombosis induced by carrageenan.Methods The peptide was purified from Eucheuma using sephdexG-50 gel chromatography and HPLC.The inhibitory effects of peptide on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP)/thrombin were detected by light transmittance aggregometry.The platelet were treated with normal saline or Eucheuma peptides (2.5,5.0,10.0μg/ml).The platelet aggregation was detected by FLASH continuous spectral fluorescence microplate reader,and the maximum platelet aggregation rate (MAR) was calculated.The peptide (15,30,60mg/kg) and 100mg/kg clopidogrel were intraperitoneal injected into mice for 7 days to confirm the anti-thrombosis activity of the peptide in carrageenan-induced mouse tail thrombosis model.Results The platelet aggregation can be inhibited by the peptide.Comparing the maximum platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP,the results showed that control group was 100％,2.5μg/ml peptide group was 61.84％,5.0μg/ml peptide group was 71.04％ and 10.0μg/ml peptide was 60.95％.The maximum platelet aggregation rate induced by thrombin was also tested.The results showed that control group was 100％,2.5μg/ml peptide group was 75.34％,5.0μg/ml peptide group was 69.96％ and 10.0μg/ml peptide group was 73.74％.The thrombosis rate (2.5μg/ml peptide group was 36.89％,5.0μg/ml peptide group was 17.25％,10.0μg/ml peptide group was 22.99％,and 100mg/kg clopidogrel group was 18.96％,respectively) and the length of thrombus in mice can be reduced by the peptide (15-60mg/kg).Conclusions The carrageenan induced tail thrombosis in mice can be inhibited by the peptide of Eucheuma.It is suggested that the peptide of Eucheuma is a potential compound in anti-thrombosis.

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Peyronie's disease: A new minimally invasive and effective treatment / 中华男科学杂志

The treatment of Peyronie's disease has been a challenge to urologists, as most of the current oral medications are considered hardly valid and the rest of the therapies require strict control of indications, some of which remain controversial, while the final surgical option may be associated with complications such as penile shortening or erectile dysfunction. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum has been proved to be effective in dissolving the penile cavernosal plaque and approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA as the first drug to be used for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. This article presents an introduction to the characteristics, safety, efficacy, and procedures of this new treatment, which may benefit urologists and the patients with Peyronie's disease.

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction for patients with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome: A report of 143 cases / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical application and outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in patients with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome (KS).@*METHODS@#A total of 143 nonmosaic KS patients underwent micro-TESE in the Center of Reproductive Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital between July 2012 and August 2016. We analyzed their clinical and follow-up data and evaluated the outcomes.@*RESULTS@#Spermatozoa were successfully retrieved from the testicular tissue in 44.76% (64/143) of the patients, 84.4% (54/64) by unilateral and 15.6% (10/64) by bilateral micro-TESE. Seventy-five of the KS patients were followed up in the years of 2014 and 2015. Of the 34 patients with successful sperm retrieval, 73.52% (25/34) achieved clinical pregnancy and 8 boys and 8 girls were already born in 14 of the 25 cases.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The micro-TESE is a useful method for sperm retrieval in nonmosaic KS patients, with high rates of sperm retrieval, clinical pregnancy, and birth of biological offspring.

Shielding of the geomagnetic field reduces hydrogen peroxide production in human neuroblastoma cell and inhibits the activity of CuZn superoxide dismutase

Accumulative evidence has shown the adverse effects of a geomagnetic field shielded condition, so called a hypomagnetic field (HMF), on the metabolic processes and oxidative stress in animals and cells. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate the role of HMF on the regulation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that HMF exposure led to ROS decrease, and that restoring the decrease by additional HO rescued the HMF-enhanced cell proliferation. The measurements on ROS related indexes, including total anti-oxidant capacity, HO and superoxide anion levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression, indicated that the HMF reduced HO production and inhibited the activity of CuZn-SOD. Moreover, the HMF accelerated the denaturation of CuZn-SOD as well as enhanced aggregation of CuZn-SOD protein, in vitro. Our findings indicate that CuZn-SOD is able to response to the HMF stress and suggest it a mediator of the HMF effect.

Preliminary comparative study of swertiamarin and swertisin on three kinds of Digeda-species Mongolian medicinal materials / 中国中药杂志

Lomatogonium rotatum (L.) Fries, Gentianopsis barbata (Froel) Ma, and Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten, the three kinds of Digeda-species Mongolian medicinal materials belonging to the family Gentianaceae, bad been widely used for the treatment of liver diseases. To analyze comparatively the content of swertiamarin and swertisin among these three kinds of Digeda-species Mongolian medicinal materials. HPLC method was applied for qualitative and quantitative analysis of swertiamarin and swertisin. The Phenomenex C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) was used, chromatographic methanol and water as mobile phase, the flow rate was 1.5 mL x min(-1) with UV detected at 237 nm, column oven temperature was 25 degrees C. Results showed that the contents of swertiamarin and swertisin were closely related the different species and producing areas. The content range of swertiamarin in L. rotatum from different habitats was 1.73% - 2.72%, 0.43% - 0.96% for the swertisin content; the content of swertiamarin in G. barbata from Alxa Left Banner was 0.38%, and the content of swertiamarin and swertisin in G. barbata from the others habitats and G. Acuta from different habitats were all detected qualitatively. The contents of swertiamarin and swertisin among these medicinal plants showed a significant difference due to the different species and producing areas. As a consequence, these medicinal plants should not be put together for clinical applications.

Differential expression of the RNA-binding motif protein 3 in human astrocytoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), which is transcriptionally induced by low temperature and hypoxia, has recently been found to be upregulated in human tumors. However, its expression status in human astrocytoma is not well defned. This article focuses on the differential expression of RBM3 in human astrocytomas of different grades and normal brain tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RBM3 was detected in astrocytomas and normal brain tissues by quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. Analysis of variance was performed on the data from quantitative real-time PCR. The Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the immunohistochemistry results. A P-value of less than 0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On one hand, the mRNA expression levels of three X-chromosome-related RBM genes (RBMX, RBM3, and RBM10) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that there were no significant differences in RBMX and RBM10 mRNA expression levels in human astrocytomas of different grades and normal brain tissues. However, RBM3 mRNA expression levels were elevated in high-grade (World Health Organization (WHO) Grade III-IV) astrocytomas versus low-grade (WHO Grade I-II) astrocytomas (5.06 ± 0.66 vs. 1.60 ± 0.58; P < 0.05) or normal controls (5.06 ± 0.66 vs. 1.03 ± 0.22; P < 0.05) as determined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. On the other hand, immunohistochemistry showed an increased RBM3 labeling index in astrocytomas of different grades and normal brain tissues (positive staining rate: astrocytoma Grade IV, 92.9%; astrocytoma Grade III, 81.8%; astrocytoma Grade I-II, 50%; normal brain tissues, 37.5%; high-grade astrocytoma versus normal brain tissues, P < 0.05; high-grade astrocytoma versus low-grade astrocytoma, P < 0.05). The higher protein levels of RBM3 were also validated in high-grade astrocytomas and low-grade astrocytomas compared with normal brain tissues by Western blotting.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These data suggest that the overexpression of RBM3 may serve as an important molecular mechanism underlying astrocytic carcinogenesis. Moreover, RBM3 may have proliferative and/or proto-oncogenic functions in human astrocytomas.</p>

Relation of reinfused hematopoietic stem cell volume and recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion with prognosis of disease in allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the relation of reinfused hematopoietic stem cell volume and recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion with prognosis of disease in allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The clinical data of 37 patients received allo-HSCT in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The 37 patients were divided into agranulocytosis and non-agranulocytosis groups according to the recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion, and were divided into the high dose and low dose groups according to the median number of reinfused mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD34(+) cells. Then, hematopoietic reconstructions,GVHD, relapse and death rates of patients were compared. The results showed that the hematopoietic reconstruction of patients in non-agranulocytosis group and high dose MNC group were earlier than that in agranulocytosis group and low dose MNC group. There was no significant difference of hematopoietic reconstruction between the groups of high dose CD34(+) cells and low dose CD34(+) cells. The GVHD incidence was higher in high dose MNC group and non-agranulocytosis group than that in low dose MNC group and agranulocytosis group (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences of relapsed and death rates between different reinfused number of HSC and recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion.It is concluded that the infused MNC number and the recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion in allo-HSCT correlated with hematopoietic reconstruction, the GVHD incidence is high in high dose MNC and non-agranulocytosis groups, the reinfused HSC volume and the recipient's leukocyte count at reinfusion not significantly relate with relapse and death rates.

Meta-analysis of the role of Argatroban in renal replacement therapy / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the role of direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban in the renal replacement therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Electronic databases including Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, Highwire, MEDLINE, CBM, CNKI, and CSJD were searched using keywords including "Argatroban", "hemodialysis", "renal function", "renal failure", and "renal replacement therapy". A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials(RCTs)comparing argatroban with controls in renal replacement therapy was performed. Both the study selection and the meta-analysis were conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews. Data were extracted from these trials and analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, argatroban in renal replacement therapy showed no significant difference in mortality(RR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.48-1.97, P=0.93)and bleeding rate(RR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.37-1.34, P=0.29). Argatroban significantly decreased the incidence of new thrombosis in renal replacement therapy for patients with heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia(RR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.21-0.75, P=0.004). Also, argatroban significantly decreased the clotting events in extracorporeal circuit during the renal replacement therapy(RR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.23, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Argatroban applied in renal replacement therapy can decrease the incidences of new thrombosis and clotting events in extracorporeal circuit and meanwhile will not increase the mortality and bleeding.</p>