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Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) have recently been identified to be closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS). A growing body of evidence has suggested Chinese medicine takes unique advantages in preventing and treating AS. In this review, the related research progress of AS and LOX-1 has been summarized. And the anti-AS effects of 10 active components of herbal medicine through LOX-1 regulation have been further reviewed. As a potential biomarker and target for intervention in AS, LOX-1 targeted therapy might provide a promising and novel approach to atherosclerotic prevention and treatment.
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Humans , Atherosclerosis , Scavenger Receptors, Class E/physiology , Biomarkers , Plant Extracts , Lipoproteins, LDLABSTRACT
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive diseases with high incidence, complicated clinical symptoms, difficulties in standard treatment, and heavy medical burden. At present, some GERD-relevant clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been issued by different countries and academic organizations, but some recommendations were inconsistent, which has caused some problems for the current clinical whole-course management of GERD. To summarize the relevant evidence among the CPGs on GERD and formulate the whole- course management strategies, we included GERD-relevant CPGs published or updated after 2010 by searching websites of guidelines, relevant professional societies, and electronic databases. We extracted the recommendations and summarized the evidence from the aspects of symptoms, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, which was presented in the form of evidence mapping. We included 24 CPGs, including three in Chinese and 21 in English. The clinical practice management strategies of GERD were formulated based on the evidence from the aspects of clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, medical treatment, anti-reflux surgery and endoscopic treatment, psychological treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Gastroesophageal Reflux/therapyABSTRACT
Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the physical health level of students of different school-age segments in four regions of Anhui province using the entropy weight approximation ideal solution ranking method (TOPSIS), and to provide a scientific method and basis for conducting school health work evaluation. Methods: Using the physical fitness survey data of four regions in Anhui province, the entropy weight method was used to draw the weights of various indicators for different school-age segments of men and women. Then, the TOPSIS method was used to evaluate the school-age segments of men and women in the four regions. Finally, the physical health level of students in four regions was classified according to the results of entropy weight TOPSIS and the rank sum ratio method. Results: A total of 10 127 students were included in this study, with an average age of (11.85±3.82) years, including 5 050 males (49.8%) and 5 072 urban students (50.1%). The results of the entropy weight method showed that the weight of body mass index of boys was similar to that of girls in each school-age segment. According to the TOPSIS and rank sum ratio analysis, the physical health level of students in the four regions of Anhui province was different. The physical health score of Suzhou was 0.617 4 points, which was classified as the best grade. The scores of Hefei and Wuhu were 0.556 3 and 0.411 2, which were classified as middle. Jiju City scored 0.381 9 points, which was classified as poor. Conclusion: TOPSIS combined with rank sum ratio can reflect the level of students' physical health, which can be applied to the evaluation of students' physical health and provide a basis for monitoring students' physical health .
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Male , Humans , Female , Child , Adolescent , Entropy , Health Status , Physical Fitness , Students , Body Mass IndexABSTRACT
Netrin-1 may protect and repair the damage caused by cerebral infarction, in terms of inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory, and promoting angiogenesis and axon regeneration, etc. Netrin-1 may associate with the pathogenesis and outcome of cerebral infarction. The application of Netrin-1 in clinic needs more researches.
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Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway in evolution, which would be activated to play a role in apoptosis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, immune inflammation and others after ischemia. After acupuncture for ischemic stroke, the expression of Notch signaling pathways related factors increase, which may play a role in neurogenesis, ischemic tolerance, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and so on.
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Objective To characterize the multimorbidity patterns of chronic diseases in middle-aged and elderly people in China，and explore the correlation and intensity among chronic diseases by using association rules. Methods A total of 17 796 people over 45 years old from 9 provinces and cities in China were sampled and surveyed. The data were analyzed by Apriori algorithm in R3.4.3 software to investigate the multimorbidity of chronic diseases. Results Among total 17 796 respondents, the number of patients with at least one chronic disease was 12 245 (68.81%), and the number of patients with two or more chronic diseases was 7 321 (41.15%). Among the selected association rules, according to the ranking of support degree, the most common three chronic disease multimorbidities were dyslipidemia and heart disease, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, asthma and chronic lung disease. The rule support was 6.77%, 5.27%, 4.28%, and the rule confidence was 34.38%, 43.14%, and 70.81%, respectively. Multiple results of association rules pointed to heart disease. After screening, the greatest association rules were found in the age group over 75 years old. Conclusions Heart disease exists in a variety of chronic disease multimorbidity patterns. Screening and prevention measures should be strengthened. Dyslipidemia is strongly associated with diabetes and hypertension, and male patients are more vulnerable to suffer from dyslipidemia. Chronic diseases intend to be more common and complicated along with age increase.
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In recent years, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has an increasing incidence worldwide along with the improvement of people' s living standards, and emerged as a serious threat to human health. T2DM is a progressive metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, and its routine therapies include diet control, the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs or subcutaneous injection with insulin. At present, in addition to chemical drugs, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones, researchers have also found that natural medicines and traditional Chinese medicine compounds have mild hypoglycemic and insulin sensitizing effects. Besides, these drugs also have effects in alleviating diabetes complications and maintaining glucose homeostasis. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid mainly isolated from Coptis chinensis with multiple pharmacological activities. Currently, berberine is considered to be one of the most promising natural hypoglycemic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, mechanisms of the hypoglycemic effect of berberine were complex. In this review, we summarized the pharmacological mechanisms of hypoglycemic effect of berberine, including improving insulin resistance, promoting insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, reducing glucose absorption in intestinal cells, suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation and modulating gut microbiota, clarified the mechanisms of hypoglycemic effect of berberine could help to understand the pharmacology of berberine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and provided evidence for rational application of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
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Objective: To study the efficacy network and potential mechanisms of effects of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction in the treatment of essential hypertension by using network pharmacology methods. Methods: TCMSP, TCMID, and Stitch were used to obtain the components and their corresponding targets. PubMed, CTD, TTD, OMIM, and DrugBank were used to search disease targets of essential hypertension. The common targets between components and disease targets were screened and builded the “compound - target” efficacy network and the protein-protein interaction network by STRING and Cytoscape. The key components and core targets of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction in the treatment of hypertension were screened in these networks. Finally, relevant software was applied to GO analysis and pathway analysis of core targets to predict potential mechanisms. Results: A total of 137 components of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and 168 targets of essential hypertension were screened. According to the analysis, quercetin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, and stigmasterol were found as the four key components and 12 core targets such as IL-6, AKT1, and MAPK8 were found involving the Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction-induced treatment of essential hypertension. The result of GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the mechanisms of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction for treating essential hypertension were related to pathways such as activation of AP-1 family transcription factors, interleukin-10 signaling, interleukin-4 signaling, interleukin-13 signaling, the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, and MAPK targeting/by MAP kinase-mediated nuclear events. Conclusion: The mechanisms of the effect of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction in the treatment of essential hypertension were through the above-mentioned “multi-components-multi-targets-multi-pathways”. This study provides a foundation for further investigation of the effective compound and specific mechanisms of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction in the treatment of essential hypertension.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes of T lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin in peripheral blood of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-acute lymphocytic leukemia (N-ALL) before and after treatment and their value for monitoring of disease and evaluation of prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and six cases of leukemia were selected in our hospital, including 48 cases of ALL (ALL group) and 58 cases of N-ALL (N-ALL group); 54 peoples of normal physical examination were selected as the normal control group in the same period. The IgA, IgG and IgM levels of peripheral blood were detected, and the absolute value of T lymphocyte subsets was determined by cell slide method. According to whether the patients' status was improved or not by treatment, the 106 patients were divided into the unimproved group (55 cases including 25 ALL, 30 N-ALL) and improved group (51 cases including 23 ALL, 28 N-ALL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of IgA, IgG and IgM in 106 cases of leukemia were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), and the CD3level, CD3CD4/CD3CD8ratio and the absolute value of CD3CD4T cells in the peripheral blood were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05); the absolute value of CD3CD8T cells showed no significant difference in comparison with the control group (P >0.05). After treatment, IgA,IgG and IgM levels in the improved group were significantly higher than those before therapy (all P<0.05), while their levels were not significantly different from that in the control group (all P>0.05); the CD3level, CD3CD4/CD3CD8ratio and the absolute value of CD3CD4T cells in the peripheral blood were significantly higher than those before therapy (all P<0.05), while those were not significantly different from the control group (all P>0.05). Compared with levels before treatment, the levels of above mentioned indicators in the unimproved group after treatment were not significantly different (all P>0.05); and the CD3level, CD3CD4/CD3CD8ratio and the absolute value of CD3CD4T cells were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), and the absolute value of CD3CD8T cells were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After the treatment, the T lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD3CD4T cells) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, IgM) levels in peripheral blood of patients with ALL and N-ALL have been improved significantly, and the detection of these indexes is helpful for disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation.</p>
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Son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1) protein is a ubiquitously expressed adapter. As a key protein in intracellular signaling, SOS1 plays an important role in many signal transduction pathways, such as Ras and Rac signaling pathways. The abnormal expression or mutation of SOS1 is closely related to clinical diseases. In this article, we review research progress on SOS1 functions and its roles in physiology and pathophysiology.
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Objective • To construct bacterial signatures by analyzing fecal metagenomics for the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods • A total of 285 samples were included in the study. Diagnostic models for CRC according to six different machine learning algorithms were developed using the featured bacteria selected by random forest algorithm, and validated in validation sets. Results • Nine bacteria that differentiated CRC and the control were identified, with which 6 models were established. The best model was random forest model, with an accuracy of 0.847 7 in the training set. Its accuracy in two test sets was 0.815 8 and 0.734 4, respectively. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic of the random forest model in the set including all samples was 0.894. Conclusion • Bacterial signatures based on random forest algorithm for the diagnosis of CRC can differentiate patients with CRC and the control effectively, which suggests the potential clinical value of the bacterial signatures.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of detector performance during digital breast tomography (DBT) projection data acquisition on reconstructed image quality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With reference to the traditional detector data correction method and the specific data acquisition pattern in DBT imaging, we utilized dark field correction, light field and its gain correction for processing the projection data collected by the detector. The reconstructed images were evaluated using iterative reconstruction method based on total generalized variation (TGV).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In physical breast phantom experiment, the proposed method resulted in a reduced Heel effect caused by nonuniform photon number. The reconstructed DBT images after correction showed obviously improved image quality especially in the details with a low contrast.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The dark field correction, light field and its gain correction process for DBT image reconstruction can improve the image quality.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relations among apolipoprotein E4, Tau protein and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>U87 cells were transfected with pIRES-EGFP (control) or the recombinant plasmids ApoE4/pIRES-EGFP or ApoE3/pIRES-EGFP, and the expression levels of p-Tau/Tau and GSK-3β in the cells were examined with Western blotting. To further confirm the effect of ApoE on GSK-3β and p-Tau expressions, a short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting ApoE (ApoE-siRNA) was transfected into U87 cells via Lipofectamine 2000 and the protein expressions were examined 24 h later.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in the control group, the expressions levels of both GSK-3β and p-Tau/Tau increased significantly in the cells transfected with ApoE4 and ApoE3 plasmids (P<0.01), and the ApoE4 plasmid produced a more potent effect than the ApoE3 plasmid on the protein expressions (P<0.01). ApoE knockdown resulted in significantly reduced expressions of GSK-3β (P<0.001) and p-Tau (P<0.01) in the cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ApoE4 can enhance Tau phosphorylation though upregulating GSK-3β, which sheds light on a new role of ApoE4 in Alzheimer's disease.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Alzheimer Disease , Genetics , Apolipoprotein E3 , Genetics , Apolipoprotein E4 , Genetics , Cell Line , Gene Silencing , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Genetics , Metabolism , Phosphorylation , RNA, Small Interfering , Genetics , Transfection , tau Proteins , MetabolismABSTRACT
Restriction by hardware caused the very low projection number at a single phase for 4-dimensional cone beam (4D-CBCT) CT imaging, and reconstruction using conventional reconstruction algorithms is thus constrained by serious streak artifacts and noises. To address this problem, we propose an approach to reconstructing 4D-CBCT images with multi-phase projections based on the assumption that the image at one phase can be viewed as the motion-compensated image at another phase. Specifically, we formulated a cost function using multi-phase projections to construct the fidelity term and the TV regularization method. For fidelity term construction, the projection data of the current phase and those at other phases were jointly used by reformulating the imaging model. The Gradient-Projection-Barzilai-Line search (GPBL) method was used to optimize the complex cost function. Physical phantom and patient data results showed that the proposed approach could effectively reduce the noise and artifacts, and the introduction of additional temporal correlation did not introduce new artifacts or motion blur.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Artifacts , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography , Models, Theoretical , Motion , Phantoms, ImagingABSTRACT
In clinical cerebral perfusion CT examination, repeated scanning the region of interest in the cine mode increases the radiation dose of the patients, while decreasing the radiation dose by lowering the scanning current results in poor image quality and affects the clinical diagnosis. We propose a penalized weighted least-square (PWLS) method for recovering the projection data to improve the quality of low-dose cerebral perfusion CT imaged. This method incorporates the statistical distribution characteristics of brain perfusion CT projection data and uses the statistical properties of the projection data for modeling. The PWLS method was used to recover the data, and the Gauss-Seidel (GS) method was employed for iterative solving. Adaptive weighting is introduced between the original projection data and the projection data after PWLS restoration. The experimental results on the clinical data demonstrated that the PWLS-based sinogram restoration method improved noise reduction and artifact suppression as compared with the conventional noise reduction methods, and better retained the edges and details to generate better cerebral perfusion maps.
Subject(s)
Humans , Algorithms , Artifacts , Cerebrum , Diagnostic Imaging , Least-Squares Analysis , Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the inhibitory effect of gefitineb on the proliferation and its inducing effect on the apoptosis of mouse I-10 Leydig testicular cancer cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We treated I-10 Leydig testicular cancer cells of mice with gefitineb at 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L. Then we determined the inhibitory effect of gefitineb on the growth of the cells by MTT, detected their early and late apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide double staining and Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining, respectively, and observed the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 3/9 by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank control group, gefitineb significantly inhibited the proliferation of the I-10 cells at 10 and 20 µmol/L (P < 0.05). The survival rate of the cells was (32.4 ± 2.8)% (P < 0.01) and their early and late apoptosis rates were (26.7 ± 4.2)% and (59.33 ± 10.2)% in the 40 µmol/L group, significantly different from those in the control (P < 0.05 and P <0.01). In comparison with the blank control group, gefitineb at 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax by (41.9 ± 7.1), (60.1 ± 9.8), and (69.0 ± 11.3)% (all P < 0.05), decreased that of apoptosis-inhibitory protein Bcl-2 by (50.3 ± 8.9), (63.9 ± 6.9), and (88.7 ± 13.9)% (all P < 0.05), and elevated that of the cleft proteins caspase-3 by (69.0 ± 6.9)% (P < 0.05), (71.5 ± 8.1)% (P < 0.05), and (110.9 ± 14.2)% (P < 0.01) and caspase-9 by (51.8 ± 4.9), (54.7 ± 6.7), and (43.8 ± 11.8)% (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gefitineb can increase the cytotoxicity of I-10 Leydig testicular cancer cells of mice and induce their apoptosis via the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Antineoplastic Agents , Pharmacology , Apoptosis , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins , Metabolism , Caspase 3 , Metabolism , Caspase 9 , Metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Leydig Cell Tumor , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Pathology , Neoplasm Proteins , Metabolism , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Pathology , Quinazolines , Pharmacology , Testicular Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Pathology , bcl-2-Associated X Protein , MetabolismABSTRACT
AlM: To study clinical reference value of retinal microvascular changes in patients with cerebral microbleeds ( CMBs) and discuss its clinical significance. METHODS:From January 2012 to December 2013, 125 hospitalized patients were collected, including 81 cases were male, 44 cases were female, mean age 76. 3 ± 11. 2 years old. For all patients, functions of liver and kidney, blood - lipoids, blood sugar and blood biochemical examination were tested, and fundus photography and cerebral MR was done. According to the fundus camera eyes, retinal arteriolar equivalent ( RAE) , retinal venular equivalent ( RVE) , retinal vein diameter ratio ( AVR) and arteriovenous crossing sign ( AVN ) were identified, CMBs were classified with cerebral MRl. All the data were processed by SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and AVR values in the eyes were found no statistical difference (P COCLUSlON: The results show that retinal microvascular changes, especially small retinal vein arteriovenous cross width, and arteriovenous crossing phenomenon, in which CMBs will happen more likely. After sex, age, hypertension and hyperglycemia in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors being ruled out, the retinal microvascular changes are still relatively factors of CMB's occurrence.
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ObjectiveTo study the protective effects of tert-butylhydroquinone(tBHQ) on sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative injuries. Methods Chang liver cells were pretreated with tBHQ[0(control), 5, 25 μmol/L]for 24 h, and then co-treated with tBHQ(5 μmol/L) together with NaAsO2[0(control),30, 40, 50, 60 μmol/L] for another 24 h, and Alamar blue reduction rates were used to evaluate cell viability,the results were expressed as the relative ratio of Alamar blue reduction rates between the experimental group and the control group. On the other hand, Chang liver cells were pretreated with tBHQ[0(control), 5, 25 μmol/L] for24 h,and then co-treated with tBHQ(5 μmol/L) together with NaAsO2[0(control), 40, 50 μmol/L] for another 24 h,and the levels of cellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected by staining cells with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate(DCFH-DA), the results were expressed as the relative ratio of mean fluorescence intensity between the experimental group and the control group. ResultsCell viability decreased dramatically by treatment with NaAsO2(30, 40, 50, 60 μmol/L), while relieved to some extent by pretreatment with 5, 25 μmol/L tBHQ, the main effects of NaAsO2 and tBHQ, as well as their interaction were all statistically significant(F =566.57, 55.09, 14.50,all P ＜ 0.05) ; the cell viability of NaAsO2(30, 40, 50, 60 μmol/L) pretreated with tBHQ(5, 25 mol/L) were 0.75 ±0.02, 0.70 ± 0.04, 0.59 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.03 and 0.75 ± 0.02, 0.73 ± 0.03, 0.65 ± 0.02, 0.50 ± 0.02, respectively,all significantly higher than corresponding NaAsO2 alone groups(0.70 ± 0.03, 0.64 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.03, 0.33 ±0.01, all P ＜ 0.05), the cell viability of NaAsO2(50, 60 μmol/L) pretreated with 25 μmol/L tBHQ was higher than corresponding 5 μmol/L tBHQ pretreatment groups(all P ＜ 0.05). On the other hand, 40, 50 μmol/L of NaAsO2 significantly induced hepatocellular ROS generation, while tBHQ(5, 25 μ mol/L) pretreatment significantly decreased NaAsO2-induced intracellular ROS levels, the main effects of NaAsO2 and tBHQ, as well as their interaction were all statistically significant (F =181.78, 60.55, 4.93, all P ＜ 0.05) ; the ROS levels of NaAsO2(40, 50 μ mol/L) pretreated with tBHQ(5, 25 μmol/L) were 1.87 ± 0.09, 1.80 ± 0.07 and 1.36 ± 0.11, 1.44 ± 0.12,all significantly decreased than corresponding NaAsO2 alone groups(2.30 ± 0.18, 2.18 ± 0.17, all P ＜ 0.05),the ROS levels of NaAsO2(40, 50 μmol/L) pretreated with 25 μmol/L tBHQ decreased than corresponding 5 μmol/L tBHQ pretreatment groups (all P ＜ 0.05). ConclusiontBHQ has a certain antagonism on arsenic induced cytotoxicity and oxidative injuries.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Infertility is a major medical and social problem, and elementary research on the spermatozoal proteins and their functions are relatively scarce and there are very few confirmed and effective options for the treatment of male infertility. Thus, it is essential to find candidate proteins that affect male infertility. This study was designed to detect the proteins with differential expression in sperm from infertile patients and normal donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples from patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia (n = 114) and from fertile men with normal spermiograms (n = 37) were collected. Semen sample analysis, sperm protein extraction, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis were performed. Results were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 statistical software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Western blotting analysis of spermatic proteins displayed a major differentially expressed protein in spermatozoa from fertile and idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients. Densities and volumes of the identified protein in the patients were significantly decreased compared to normal donors (P = 0.034 and P = 0.036, respectively). The protein was identified as DEAD-box protein 4 (DDX4, VASA). The expression and correction value (CV) of DDX4/VASA in the patients was reduced significantly compared to normal donors (P = 0.037 and P = 0.031, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of spermatic protein DDX4/VASA associates with spermatic motility, implying that DDX4/VASA may be a candidate marker for evaluation of spermatic motility.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Asthenozoospermia , Metabolism , Blotting, Western , DEAD-box RNA Helicases , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Infertility, Male , Metabolism , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of the alpha1-receptor inhibitor terazosin combined with chlormezanone in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 168 CPPS patients, aged 20 -50 (mean 32.9) years and with the disease course of 3 months to 7 years (mean 17 months), were equally randomized into a terazosin group (n = 58), a chlormezanone group (n = 38) and a terazosin + chlormezanone (T + C) group (n = 72), and treated accordingly for 4 weeks. All the patients were scored on NIH-CPSI (National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) after the treatment and the therapeutic effects were compared among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the total number of patients, 159 completed the treatment and were evaluated, including 55 of the terazosin group, 35 of the chlormezanone group and 69 of the T + C group. After the treatment, the NIH-CPSI scores of the three groups decreased from 24.05 +/- 3.02 to 16.15 +/- 3.25 (mean 7.90), from 23.43 +/- 3.58 to 17.51 +/- 3.08 (mean 5.92), and from 23.93 +/- 3.30 to 15.01 +/- 3.08 (mean 8.92), respectively, with statistically significant differences from pretreatment (P < 0.05) as well as between the combined therapy group and the other two (P < 0.05). The adverse events included postural hypotension (17.1% in the terazosin group and 15.4% in the T + C group), dysspermatism (3.4% in the terazosin group only), lassitude, fatigue and anorexia (18.5% in the chlormezanone group and 12.6% in the T + C group). Nine of the patients failed to accomplish the treatment because of adverse events, 3 (5.2%) in the terazosin group, 3 (7.9%) in the chlormezanone group and 3 (12.6%) in the T + C group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both terazosin and chlormezanone can relieve the symptoms in CP/CPPS patients and improve their life quality, but their combined use may produce a better efficacy than either terazosin or chlormezanone used alone.</p>