The association between the two more common genetic causes of spermatogenic failure: a 7-year retrospective study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions are considered to be the two more common genetic causes of spermatogenic failure. However, the relationship between chromosomal aberrations and Y chromosome microdeletions is still unclear. This study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of chromosomal aberrations and Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men, and to explore whether there was a correlation between the two genetic defects of spermatogenic failure. A 7-year retrospective study was conducted on 5465 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia or oligozoospermia. Karyotype analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed by standard G-banding techniques. Y chromosome microdeletions were screened by multiplex PCR amplification with six specific sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. Among the 5465 infertile men analyzed, 371 (6.8%) had Y chromosome microdeletions and the prevalence of microdeletions in azoospermia was 10.5% (259/2474) and in severe oligozoospermia was 6.3% (107/1705). A total of 4003 (73.2%) infertile men underwent karyotyping; 370 (9.2%) had chromosomal abnormalities and 222 (5.5%) had chromosomal polymorphisms. Karyotype analysis was performed on 272 (73.3%) patients with Y chromosome microdeletions and 77 (28.3%) had chromosomal aberrations, all of which involved sex chromosomes but not autosomes. There was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities between men with and without Y chromosome microdeletions (P< 0.05).

Total arthroscopic internal drainage technique for the treatment of popliteal cyst / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effects of total arthroscopic internal drainage and arthroscopic combined with posterior small incision in the treatment of popliteal cyst.@*METHODS@#From January 2015 to January 2017, 60 patients with popliteal cyst were treated, including 29 males and 31 females, aged 30 to 65(47.8±2.5) years old, with a course of disease (8.5±4.2) months. Among them, 30 cases received total arthroscopic internal drainage for popliteal fossa cyst(total arthroscopic group), 30 cases received arthroscopic combined with posterior small incision for popliteal fossa cyst(arthroscopic combined with small incision group). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, incision length, Rauschning and Lindgren grade 0 recovery rate and Lysholm score were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-nine patients in total arthroscopy group were followed up, and 28 patients in arthroscopy combined with small incision group were followed up for 8 to 20(12.8±2.1) months. Operation time: total arthroscopic group(45.32±5.71) min, arthroscopic combined small incision group (44.56±3.85) min; Rauschning and Lindgren grade 0 recovery: 23 cases in total arthroscopic group, 22 cases in arthroscopic combined small incision group; postoperative Lysholm score: total arthroscopic group 84.5±11.2, arthroscopic combined small incision group 83.2±12.7; there was no significant difference between the two groups(>0.05). Intraoperative bleeding volume: total arthroscopic group(5.32±1.25) ml, arthroscopic combined small incision group(20.75±8.18) ml; incision length: total arthroscopic group (1.51±0.34) cm, arthroscopic combined small incision group (7.34±0.75) cm; the difference between the two groups was significant(<0.05). At the last follow-up, the knee joint was examined by magnetic resonance imaging, and no recurrence of cyst was found.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Total arthroscopic internal drainage and arthroscopic combined with posterior small incision technique for popliteal fossa cyst with intra-articular lesions have the same clinical effect, but less trauma and faster recovery.

Regression analysis of red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinical implications of changes in red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 127 patients (90 men and 37 women) were enrolled in this analysis, including 66 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 61 with unstable angina (UA). The patients' baseline demographic and clinical data were compared between the two groups including age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, BMI, blood biochemical profiles, cardiac functions and platelet and red blood cell parameters. The patients were further divided into subgroups according to the RDW 50% cumulative frequency, and the MPV, P-LCR, hsCRP, NT-proBNP, RBC, Dimer and MCV were compared. The correlations between platelet and erythrocyte test results were evaluated in both the AMI and UA patients. Regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the RDW in the AMI group and a regression model was established.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The platelet and red blood cell test results, P-LCR, MPV, and RDW differed significantly between AMI and UA groups (P<0.01 or 0.05). Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between RDW and MPV in AMI group (r=0.34, P<0.01). Between the subgroups with different RDW 50% cumulative frequencies, MPV, P-LCR, hsCRP, D-Dimer, and NT-proBNP all differed significantly (P<0.05 or 0.01). In AMI group, with RDW as the dependent variable, we established a multivariate regression model of RDW=0.19MPV+10.83.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RDW and MPV are closely correlated in patients with AMI. In multiple regression analysis, MPV can explain the changes in RDW in patients with AMI.</p>

Association of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rats / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is frequently observed in patients treated with excessive corticosteroids. However, the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intramuscularly with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone (MP) for 8 weeks, twice per week. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the last MP injection, respectively, and then allocated to the 2-, 4- and 8-week model groups (n=24 each). Rats in the control group (n=12) were not given any treatment. Histopathological analysis was performed and the concentration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in plasma was determined. The activation of osteoclasts in the femoral head was assessed by TRAP staining. The expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6 and NF-κB p65 that are involved in TLR4 signaling, and MCP-1 production were detected by using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The results showed that the osteonecrosis in the femoral head was clearly observed and the concentration of TRAP in the plasma was increased in the model rats. The femoral head tissues in MP-treated rats were positive for TRAP and the intensity of TRAP staining was greater in MP-treated rats than in control rats. As compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of TLR4 signaling-related factors was enhanced significantly at 4 and 8 weeks, and the protein levels of these factors increased significantly with time. It was concluded that MP could induce the femoral head osteonecrosis in rats, which was associated with osteoclast activation via the TLR4 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that TLR4 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis.

Association of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rats / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is frequently observed in patients treated with excessive corticosteroids. However, the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intramuscularly with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone (MP) for 8 weeks, twice per week. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the last MP injection, respectively, and then allocated to the 2-, 4- and 8-week model groups (n=24 each). Rats in the control group (n=12) were not given any treatment. Histopathological analysis was performed and the concentration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in plasma was determined. The activation of osteoclasts in the femoral head was assessed by TRAP staining. The expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6 and NF-κB p65 that are involved in TLR4 signaling, and MCP-1 production were detected by using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The results showed that the osteonecrosis in the femoral head was clearly observed and the concentration of TRAP in the plasma was increased in the model rats. The femoral head tissues in MP-treated rats were positive for TRAP and the intensity of TRAP staining was greater in MP-treated rats than in control rats. As compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of TLR4 signaling-related factors was enhanced significantly at 4 and 8 weeks, and the protein levels of these factors increased significantly with time. It was concluded that MP could induce the femoral head osteonecrosis in rats, which was associated with osteoclast activation via the TLR4 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that TLR4 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis.

Loss of heterozygosity and abnormal expression of MTSS 1 in the progression and metastasis of advanced primary gastric carcinoma / 肿瘤

Objective: To determine the correlation of metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS 1) gene with the prognosis of gastric cancer by detecting the expression level of MTSS 1 in gastric cancer, and to explore its underlying molecular mechanism in the development and progression of gastric cancers. Methods: The expression levels of MTSS1 in the primary lesion, adjacent normal mucosa tissue, lymph node metastasis and other metastatic lesions from patients with gastric cancer were detected by using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and the correlation of MTSS 1 expression with the clinicopathological factors was evaluated. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of four microsatellite loci (D8S1832, D8S2132, D8S1179 and D8S1461) in MTSS 1 gene in thirteen patients with negative-expression of MTSS1 was detected by using PCR-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-silver staining method. Results: The positive expression rates of MTSS 1 were 33.9% (42/124) in the primary lesions and 16.3% (8/49) in the lymph node metastasis and other metastatic lesions. Loss expression of MTSS 1 was significantly associated with the advanced T stage, lymph node metastasis, advanced disease stage, and the poor histological differentiation. Loss or down-regulation of MTSS 1 expression was significantly correlated with the poor survival rate in both univariate and multivariate analysis. A higher frequency of allelic loss was observed in the primary (46.2%) or metastatic (69.2%) gastic cancer lesion with negative expression of MTSS 1. Conclusion: The loss and decreased expression of MTSS 1 may play an important role in the development and progression of gastric cancers, and MTSS 1 gene may become a potential predictor for clinical outcome of patients with gastric cancer. Copyright© 2011 by the Editorial Board of Tumor.

A combination with IGF-1R inhibitior enhances the sensitivity of human non-small cell lung cancer cell line PC9/G to gefitinib / 肿瘤

Objective: To observe the effect of gefitinib alone or in combination with AG1024 (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor) on drug resistance of human non-small cell lung cancer cell line PC9/G with acquired-resistance to gefitinib, and to discuss its possible mechanism. Methods: PC9/G cells were treated with AG1024 or gefitinib alone or in combination, the proliferative activity of PC9/G cells was detected by MTT method, and the efficacy of combination therapy was assessed by median-effects principle. Apoptosis rate of PC9/G cells was examined by flow cytometry. The expression levels of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) and the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in PC9/G cells were detected by Western blotting. Results: PC9/G cells displayed apoptotic features after treatment with AG1024 or gefitinib alone, and the cell proliferation was inhibited to different degrees. The treatment of AG1024 combined with gefitinib had a synergistic effect on the apoptosis and the cell proliferation (P<0.05) of PC9/G cells, as well as the expression levels of p-EGFR, p-Akt and p-ERK proteins were decreased. Conclusion: AG1024 in combination with gefitinib exerts a synergistic effect, which may lead to the proliferation inhibition and the apoptosis enhancement, and eventually increases the sensitivity of human non-small cell lung cancer cell line PC9/G to gefitinib. Copyright© 2011 by the Editorial Board of Tumor.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spinal cord I/R injury model was established according to the description of Erten et al. A total of 27 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups randomly: a sham group (9 rabbits treated with sham operation but without aortic occlusion), a model group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and volume-matched saline), and a GBE group (9 rabbits treated with aortic occlusion and Ginaton (100 mg/kg) injected 30 minutes before aortic clamping and at the onset of reperfusion). The neurological outcomes were evaluated at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion, respectively. The spinal cord malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) were then detected. Neural cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl t-ransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-fluorescence nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and the expression of bcl-2 and bax were examined histologically in the spinal cord with immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>I/R produced a significant decrease in neurological scoring. The motor scores of the GBE group were significantly higher than those of the model group at 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, GBE ameliorated the down-regulation of SOD and produced a significant reduction of the MDA level (P<0.01). The positive cells for TUNEL in the model group were much more than those of the GBE group (P<0.01). The bcl-2 was up-regulated after I/R, especially in the GBE group (P<0.01). The up-regulation of bax was greatly diminished by GBE (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>GBE has protective effects against spinal cord I/R injury, and the mechanism may be that it can scavenge oxygen free radicals and inhibit the apoptosis of neural cells.</p>