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Chorioretinal disease has become a significant problem affecting human vision. Abnormal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)leads to increased fundus permeability and neovascularization. Vitreous injection of anti-VEGF agents can rapidly inhibit the level of VEGF in the eye and effectively control the development of the disease. At present, anti-VEGF agents are widely administered in ophthalmology. However, studies have shown that intravitreal anti-VEGF agents can reduce plasma VEGF concentration after entering the circulatory system, and the pointless off-target effects of drugs may lead to systemic adverse reactions. For elderly patients, patients with serious comorbidities, lactating women, premature infants and other special populations, attention should be paid to systemic VEGF inhibition after multiple injections. In this paper, in order to provide reference for clinical anti-VEGF therapy, the pharmacokinetics therapy, systemic adverse reactions, contralateral eye effects, and effects of anti-VEGF on breast milk and preterm infants were discussed, and the systemic effects of vitreous injection of anti-VEGF agents were reviewed.
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Objective To analyze the pathogenic epidemiological characteristics of acute lower respiratory tract infection(ALRTI) in children in Gansu Province from 2012 to 2015. Methods The surveillance data of 458 children infected with ALRTI in 10 sentinel hospitals in Gansu province from 2012 to 2015 were collected, and infection status and epidemiological characteristics of each virus and bacteria were analyzed by descriptive study methods. Results The male to female ratio of the 458 children with ALRTI was 1.81:1, and the positive detection rate of the virus was 33.62%（95% CI：29.28%-37.97%), among which the positive detection rate of respiratory syncytial virus was the highest (12.23%).The positive detection rate of bacteria was 24.84%（95% CI：20.04%-29.65%),among which the positive detection rate of streptococcus pneumoniae was the highest (18.47%).There was significant no difference in the positive detection rate of virus and bacteria between children of different genders (P>0.05).There was significant no difference in the positive detection rate of virus among children of different age groups ( 2=5.980,P=0.050), but the positive detection rate of bacteria was different ( 2=12.078,P=0.002).Positive detection rates of virus infection and bacterial infection were different in distinct seasons (all P<0.05). By using logistics regression analysis, season, age and sentinel hospital were the influencing factors of ALRTI virus infection in children (all P<0.05), and sentinel hospital and years were the influencing factors of ALRTI bacterial infection in children (all P<0.05). Conclusion Respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus and parainfluenza were the main causes of ALRTI virus infection in children aged 0-14 years in Gansu province, and the main bacterial infections were streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenzae, the number of virus infection was more than that of bacterial infection. Viral and bacterial infection had the same peak incidence.
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External attentional focus strategy (EFs) is wildly used for athletes and healthy people to learn motor skills, and is also useful for motor function rehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders. This paper reviewed the concept, theoretical basis and application of EFs in stroke rehabilitation, which is effective on motor function. However, the timing of intervention remains to be further clarified.
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Endometriosis is associated with femaleinfertility,but the underlying mechanism has not beenfully understood.As is reported,endometriosis cancause tubal obstruction,hydrosalpinx,tubal adhesionand microstructural damage.Also,the ectopic implantsmay result in decreased ciliary beat frequency andweakened muscular contractile activity of the tube,aswell as abnormal components of tubal fluid.All thesechanges lead to impaired female fertility.This reviewfocuses on the damage to the structure and function offallopian tube caused by endometriosis.
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Whole body vibration training (WBVT) is a new kind of therapeutic exercise, which can improve musculoskeletal function and motor performance by transferring vibration stimulation to the body to affect neuromuscular activity. In this paper, the clinical efficacy, mechanism and parameter setting of WBVT in the treatment of chronic ankle instability were introduced through a systematic review of relevant literatures, so as to provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of this technique.
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An open-access microfluidic chip which enabled automatic cell distribution and complex multi-step operations was developed.The microfluidic chip featured a key structure in which a nanoporous membrane was sandwiched by a cell culture chamber array layer and a corresponding media reservoir array layer.The microfluidic approach took advantage of the characteristics of the nanoporous membrane.On one side, this membrane permitted the flow of air but not liquid, thus acting as a flow-stop valve to enable automatic cell distribution.On the other side, it allowed diffusion-based media exchange and thus, mimicked the endothelial layer.In synergy with a liquid transferring platform, the open-access microfluidic system enabled complex multi-step operations involving medium exchange, drug treatment, and cell viability testing.By using this microfluidic protocol, a 10 × 10 tissue arrays was constructed in 90 s, followed by schedule-dependent drug testing.Morphological and immunohistochemical assays results indicated that the resultant tumor tissue was faithful to that in vivo.Drug testing assays showed that the microfluidic tissue array promised multi-step cell assays under biomimetic microenvironment, thus providing an advantageous tool for cell research.
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Objective:To investigate the impact of dexamethasone on the balance of natural regulatory T cells(nTreg) and typeⅠ regulatory T cell(Tr1) in vitro.Methods:Peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBMCs) recruited from healthy donor,divided into dexam-ethasone stimulus group and negative control group.After 3 days treatment,cells were stained.The expression of CD25,CD127, Lymphocyte-activation 3 (LAG-3) and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and frequency of Treg and Tr1 were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:Compared to the control group,after stimulation with dexamethasone for 3 days,the percentage of CD4+T cells increased in a dose-dependent manner.The expression of CD25 and Foxp3 in CD4+T cells decreased significantly (P=0.006, P<0.000 1),while CD127 and LAG-3 expression increased significantly in CD4+T cells (P<0.000 1,P=0.011).Dexamethasone treatment significantly enhance the frequency of Tr1(P=0.051),reduce the frequency of Treg (P<0.001),and the ratio of Tr1/Treg also increased(P=0.044).Conclusion:Short-term treatment with dexamethasone in vitro change the balance of natural regulatory and type Ⅰ regulatory T cells.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Heyan Kuntai Capsule (, HYKT) and hormone therapy (HT) on perimenopausal syndromes (PMSs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2005 to 2008, 390 women with PMSs were recruited from 4 clinic centers. The inclusion criteria included ages 40 to 60 years, estradiol (E2) below 30 ng/L, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) above 40 IU/L, etc. The patients were randomly assigned to HYKT group or HT group by random number table method, administrated HYKT or conjugated estrogen with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets for 12 months. During treatment, the patients were interviewed quarterly, Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) scores, hot flush scores, insomnia scores, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) scores and adverse effects were used for evaluating drug efficacy and safety respectively. The last interview was made at the end of 12-month treatment RESULTS: After treatment, KMI scores of HYKT group and HT group were both significantly decreased compared with baseline (P <0.01) and there was no significant difference between groups (P >0.05), except that KMI of HYKT group was higher after 3-month treatment (P <0.05). After treatment, hot flush and insomnia scores were both improved significantly in two groups (P <0.01); and HT had a better performance than HYKT in improving hot flush (P <0.05). MENQOL were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (P <0.01); but there was no significant difference between two groups (P >0.05). The incidence of adverse event in the HYKT group was much lower than that in the HT group (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HYKT could effectively relieve PMSs and improve patients quality of life without severe adverse reactions. Although HYKT exerted curative effects more slowly than hormone, it possessed better safety profile than hormone.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Combined Modality Therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Estrogen Replacement Therapy , Hot Flashes , Drug Therapy , Perimenopause , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
This article introduced the neuromuscular activation characteristics of patients with chronic ankle instability during dif-ferent movement patterns, and explained the reasons of deficits of neuromuscular control in lower extremity muscle ac-tivity, kinetics, and kinematics, which aimed at further clarifying the mechanism of chronic ankle instability, and provid-ing theoretical basis for its rehabilitation training.
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BACKGROUND: Cimicifuga racemosa is one of the herbs used for the treatment of climacteric syndrome, and it has been cited as an alternative therapy to estrogen. Apart from hectic fevers, dyspareunia and so on, dry mouth also increase significantly after menopause. It has not yet been reported whether C. racemosa has any impact on the sublingual gland, which may relate to dry mouth. In an attempt to determine this, we have compared the effects of estrogen and C. racemosa on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats. RESULTS: HE staining showed that the acinar cell area had contracted and that the intercellular spaces were broadened in the OVX (ovariectomized rats) group, while treatment with estradiol (E2) and iCR (isopropanolic extract of C. racemosa) improved these lesions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that rough endoplasmic reticulum expansion in mucous and serous acinar epithelial cells and apoptotic cells was more commonly seen in the OVX group than in the SHAM (sham-operated rats) group. Mitochondria and plasma membrane infolding lesions in the striated ducts were also observed. These lesions were alleviated by both treatments. It is of note that, in the OVX + iCR group, the volume of mitochondria in the striated duct was larger than in other groups. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells was significantly increased in the acinar cells of the OVX group compared with the SHAM group (p < 0.05); and the MA (mean absorbance) of caspase-3 in the striated ducts also increased (p < 0.05). Estradiol decreased the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA of caspase-3 in striated ducts significantly (p < 0.05). ICR also reduced the ratio of caspase-3 positive cells and the MA in the striated ducts (p < 0.05), but the reduction of the MA in striated ducts was inferior to that of the OVX + E2 group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both estradiol and iCR can inhibit subcellular structural damage, and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 caused by ovariectomy, but their effects were not identical, suggesting that both drugs confer a protective effect on the sublingual gland of ovariectomized rats, but that the specific location and mechanism of action producing these effects were different.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Rats , Sublingual Gland/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Ovariectomy , Estradiol/pharmacology , Estrogens/pharmacology , Time Factors , Xerostomia/prevention & control , Climacteric/drug effects , Immunohistochemistry , Down-Regulation , Estrogen Replacement Therapy/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Treatment Outcome , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Apoptosis/drug effects , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Caspase 3/analysis , Caspase 3/drug effects , Acinar Cells/drug effectsABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a chronic degenerative disease of the nervous system,and the pathological change of AD is the formation of senile plaques containing amyloid β(Aβ) and the neurofibrillary tangles. AD patients and animal models exhibit the over activation of microglia(MG) and astrocytes,causing neuroinflammation,leading to neuron death. Inhibition of MG activity can alleviate Aβ plaques. A growing number of studies have found that neuroinflammation is involved in the development and progression of AD. This article reviews the role of neuroinflammation induced by MG,astrocytes,T lymphocyte,and monocyte-derived macrophages in the mechanism of AD.
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AlM: To measure the retinal electrical activities in patients with diabetic retinopathy ( DR ) by applying multifocal electroretinogram ( mf-ERG) and evaluate the degree of visual damage at different stages of DR METHODS:Thirty cases ( 30 eyes ) aged 50 ~70 years old, excluding other diseases, were as normal group, and 99 cases ( 99 eyes ) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were as experiment group. The cases received mf-ERG examination in the standard state, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed RESULTS: For DR patients with early and background stage, the reaction density of mf - ERG P1 wave decreased as the disease worsened, significantly reduced in non - proliferating stage and decreased more significantly in the background of the stage Ⅲ. This showed that in the macula, electrical activity had weakened before the retina without visual or morphological changes, and with the development of the disease, the electrical activity decreased more obviously. CONCLUSlON:mf-ERG can evaluate the severity of DR, especially suit in the early and background period of DR.
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To investigate the epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and the genetic characteristics of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in Linyi of Shandong Province, China during 2007-2012. The number of reported HFMD cases were obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method; the VP1 region of EV-A71 isolated from HFMD patients in Linyi was amplified and sequenced. Finally, the genetic variability and phylogenecity of VP1 sequences of EV-A71 were analyzed by MEGA 5.0. The results showed that HFMD incidence was reported in each year from 2007 to 2012 in Linyi, and the highest incidence and mortality were reported in 2009, when there were total 14697 cases and 9 of death. The reported incidence was 140.28/100000, and the mortality was 0.086/100000. The peak incidence usually occurred between April and July, and the summit occurred in May. Scattered children accounted for 77.37%-92.00% of all cases. The peak age was 2.5 years during 2007-2009 and 1.5 years during 2010-2012. A total of 1365 laboratory-confirmed HFMD cases were reported in the 6 consecutive years, accounting for 2.98% of the gross number. Among these reports, the ratio of EV-A71 was 44.18%, and the ratio of coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) was 46.59%. All EV-A71 strains isolated in Linyi during 2007-2012 belonged to the C4a evolutionary branch of C4 genotype. In conclusion, HFMD outbreaks occurred every year in Linyi during 2007-2012. Incidence varied significantly among different counties. The peak incidence in each year lasted from April to July. Most of the patients were children under 3 years of age, and scattered children took the highest proportion. Co-circulation of EV-A71 and CVA16 was the major cause of HFMD in each year. Since the first report of HFMD prevalence caused by EV-A71 (C4a) in 2007, the virus has been prevalent continuously in Linyi for 6 years.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , China , Epidemiology , Enterovirus , Classification , Genetics , Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease , Epidemiology , Virology , Molecular Sequence Data , PhylogenyABSTRACT
This study investigated the changes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) and its role in cellular injury. Recombinant NOSTRIN-expressing and empty vectors were transfected into cultured HUVECs, and factor VIII-related antigen was examined by using immunohistochemical analysis. Growth curves were generated for both transfected and untransfected cells and these indicated that the proliferative ability of cells overexpressing NOSTRIN was significantly decreased. The expression of NOSTRIN and eNOS proteins was detected by using Western blot analysis, endothelial NOS (eNOS) activity was assayed by using spectrophotometry, and NO2 (-)/NO3 (-) levels were measured using nitrate reductase. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that all groups expressed NOSTRIN in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, and Western blot analysis confirmed that NOSTRIN levels were significantly higher in cells transfected with the NOSTRIN plasmid (P<0.01). The activity of eNOS and the levels of NO2 (-)/NO3 (-) were significantly decreased in NOSTRIN overexpressing cells as compared with empty vector and untransfected cells (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). Morphological and ultrastructural changes were observed under light and electron microscopy, and it was found that NOSTRIN-overexpressing cells were elongated with deformities of the karyotheca, injury to the plasma membrane, increased lipids in the cytoplasm, and shortened microvilli. This study showed that overexpression of NOSTRIN had a significant effect on eNOS activity in HUVECs and resulted in significant cellular damage.
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Background Studieshowed thaDelta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) participatein the deveopmenof retinal celland angiogenesis.The Dll4-Notch pathway and vasculaendothelial growth facto(VEGF) are thoughto be critical mediatorof neovascularization undehypoxiconditions.The relationship between Dll4 and VEGF inovery cleaand furtheresearch ineeded.Objective Thistudy wato observe the inhibition of Dll4 on experimental retinal neovascularization and VEGF expression.MethodThe retinal neovascularization animal model wainduced by oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in 5-day-old SPF SD ratby rearing the new postnatal ratwith the motherattogethein closed box with oxygen level a(80±2) ％ till 12-day-old.The ratwere then raised in normal aifo5 days.Aftethat,2.5μl (0.5 μg) of Dll4 monoclonal antibody wainjected into the mid-vitreoucavity in the righeye(Dll4 injected group) and PBwaused in the same way in the fellow eye(PBcontrol group) in the 12-day-old rats.Retinawere isolated in the 17-day-old rats,and retinal vasculamorphology waexamined by adenosine diphosphatease (ADPase) staining of retinal flatmounts,and the endotheliocyte nuclei above the internal limiting membrane were counted in the retinal tissue-slices.Reverse transcription PC(RT-PCR) waused to detecthe mRNexpression level of Dll4,VEGF,VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1),VEGFR-2 and neuropilin-1 mRNin the retinas.Statistical analysiwaperformed by the paired t-test.The care and use of the animalcomplied with the Guidance Suggestion issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Chinin 2006.ResultThe Dll4 mRNexpression in the retin(Dll4 mRNA/β-actin mRNA) wa0.22± 0.06 and 0.98 ± 0.13 in the Dll4 injected group and the PBcontrol group,respectively,with statistically significandifference (=21.839,P =0.000).No significandifferencewere found in the expression of the VEGF mRNA,VEGFR-1 mRNand VEGFR-2 mRNin the retinabetween the two group(t=0.463,P=0.649;=1.687,P=0.109;=-1.674,P=0.111).Compared with the PBcontrol group,the expression of neuropilin-1 mRNwasignificantly elevated in the Dll4-injected group (0.73±0.08 vs.0.64±0.07) (t=-2.677,P=0.015).ADPase staining showed thathere were much more new blood vesselin the Dll4 injected group than those of the PBcontrol group.The numbeof nuclei structurally adjacento the vitreal side of the internal limiting membrane wa(63.6± 11.6)/slide in the Dll4 injected group,which wamore than thaof the PBcontrol group a(35.1±5.2)/slide (=-7.879,P =0.000).ConclusionDll4 playan essential role in the procesof pathological angiogenesiin the retina.Dll4 ithoughto be feedback regulatoof VEGFR,which participatein the procesof restraining pathological vasculogenesis.
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This study investigated the changes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) and its role in cellular injury. Recombinant NOSTRIN-expressing and empty vectors were transfected into cultured HUVECs, and factor VIII-related antigen was examined by using immunohistochemical analysis. Growth curves were generated for both transfected and untransfected cells and these indicated that the proliferative ability of cells overexpressing NOSTRIN was significantly decreased. The expression of NOSTRIN and eNOS proteins was detected by using Western blot analysis, endothelial NOS (eNOS) activity was assayed by using spectrophotometry, and NO2 (-)/NO3 (-) levels were measured using nitrate reductase. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that all groups expressed NOSTRIN in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, and Western blot analysis confirmed that NOSTRIN levels were significantly higher in cells transfected with the NOSTRIN plasmid (P<0.01). The activity of eNOS and the levels of NO2 (-)/NO3 (-) were significantly decreased in NOSTRIN overexpressing cells as compared with empty vector and untransfected cells (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). Morphological and ultrastructural changes were observed under light and electron microscopy, and it was found that NOSTRIN-overexpressing cells were elongated with deformities of the karyotheca, injury to the plasma membrane, increased lipids in the cytoplasm, and shortened microvilli. This study showed that overexpression of NOSTRIN had a significant effect on eNOS activity in HUVECs and resulted in significant cellular damage.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Physiology , Cell Line , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Physiology , Endothelial Cells , Pathology , Physiology , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Metabolism , Nitric Oxide , Metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III , Metabolism , Umbilical Veins , Metabolism , Pathology , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the clinical features of death from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and to explore the early warning index of HFMD death.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 41 HFMD death cases were collected as case group in Shandong province between 2009 and 2011, and another 123 serious HFMD cases were selected as control group according to the similar gender, place of origin and hospital level, with the ratio at 1:3. We investigated the general situation, clinical treatment, past medical history, clinical symptoms and signs of the ill children, and applied the conditional logistic regression to explore early warning index of HFMD death.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of patients who had symptoms in nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system and respiratory system were separately 90.2% (37/41), 58.5% (24/41), 53.7% (22/41) and 90.2% (37/41) in case group; and the proportions were 44.7% (55/123), 13.8% (17/123), 10.6% (13/123) and 12.2% (15/123) respectively in control group. The difference between the two groups showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 25.881, 32.791, 34.011, 86.505, P < 0.05). In case group, 37 patients had neurogenic pulmonary edema, 26 patients got encephalitis, 15 patients had respiratory and circulatory failure, 7 patients got pulmonary hemorrhage, 4 patients had multiple organ failure, 4 patients got myocarditis and 1 patient had cerebral hernia. According to multi-factor logistic regression analysis, the early warning indicators of HFMD death included neck resistance (case group: 34.1% (14/41), control group: 4.1% (5/123); OR = 7.145, 95%CI: 1.748 - 29.204), vomiting (case group: 58.5% (24/41), control group: 13.8% (17/123); OR = 5.632, 95%CI: 1.793 - 17.685) and increase of heart rate (case group: 53.7% (22/41), control group: 10.6% (14/123), OR = 6.370, 95%CI: 1.517 - 26.743).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the process of clinical treatment and care, we should interfere the serious HFMD patients with neck resistance, vomiting and increase of heart rate, and thereby reduce the death from HFMD.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , China , Epidemiology , Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Mortality , Logistic Models , Risk Factors , Survival RateABSTRACT
To identify the pathogen of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) in Shandong Province in 2010, eye mucous swab samples were collected from 26 patients in Qingdao and Linyi City. Real time-PCR assays for EV70, CVA24 and Adenovirus were performed on these samples. The result showed 17 samples (65.39%) were CVA24 positive while all the samples for HEV70 and Adenovirus detection were negative, which implied that CVA24 was the causative pathogen of this outbreak. A total of 10 virus strains isolated on Hep-2 cells were identified as CVA24 through VP1 amplification and nucleotide sequence analysis. The nucleotide and amino acid homologies on VP1 region among these isolates were 99.3%-100.0% and 99.5%-100.0%, respectively, and the strains aggregated together to one clade in phylogenetic tree. These results showed that the CVA24 circulating in Qingdao and Linyi City belonged to one transmission chain. Shandong CVA24s segregated into 5 different clades, and great nucleotide divergence was observed be tween AHC isolates and others.
Subject(s)
Humans , Amino Acid Sequence , China , Epidemiology , Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic , Epidemiology , Virology , Enterovirus C, Human , Chemistry , Classification , Genetics , Genetic Variation , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Viral Proteins , Chemistry , GeneticsABSTRACT
Spermatogenesis is a complex regulatory process depending on a variety of hormones (such as FSH, LH, T, and 17beta estradiol), cytokines, and genes. Research on gene regulation in spermatogenesis has become a hot spot and revealed some spermato-genesis-related genes, such as AYZ, DAZ, YRRM, NOSTRIN, and so on. Reports are rarely seen on the role of CR16 in male reproduction, and its action mechanism in spermatogenesis is not yet clear. This article updates the role of CR16 in spermatogenesis in the male reproductive system from the perspective of Sertoli cells forming a blood-testis barrier.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Blood-Testis Barrier , Microfilament Proteins , Sertoli Cells , Spermatogenesis , Testis , Cell BiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, and investigate their correlation with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We detected the expressions of NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively, determined the activity of eNOS by spectrophotometry, and measured the stable metabolic end product NO, NO2- / NO3-, by nitrate reductase assay in the testis tissues of 17 patients with idiopathic azoospermia (the azoospermia group) and 10 normal men (the normal group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA were expressed in the spermatogonia, sertoli cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells, more lowly in the azoospermia than in the normal group (0.312 +/- 0.076 versus 0.793 +/- 0.082, P < 0.01). The activity of eNOS was significantly increased in the idiopathic azoospermia patients ([33.727 +/- 3.58] U/mg) compared with the normal men ([17.69 +/- 3.84] U/mg) (P < 0.01). The level of NO2- / NO3- was significantly higher in the azoospermia than in the normal group ([48.56 +/- 8.49] micromol/L versus [25.37 +/- 9.61] micromol/L, P < 0.01). The expression of NOSTRIN showed a significant negative correlation with the activity of eNOS (r = -0.57, P < 0.01) as well as with the level of NO2- / NO3- (r = -0.61, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue of the idiopathic azoospermia patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of NOSTRIN is decreased, while the activity of eNOS and the level of NO2- / NO3- increased in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.</p>