Protective Mechanism of Electroacupuncture on Peripheral Neurotoxicity Induced by Oxaliplatin in Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in rats.@*METHODS@#Male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 3 groups using a random number table: the control group, the OIPN group, and the EA (OIPN + EA) group, with 10 rats in each. The time courses of mechanical, cold sensitivity, and microcirculation blood flow intensity were determined. The morphology of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was observed by electron microscopic examination. The protein levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the transient receptor potential (TRP) protein family in DRGs were assayed by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#EA treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in OIPN rats (P<0.01). Notably, oxaliplatin treatment resulted in impaired microcirculatory blood flow and pathomorphological defects in DRGs (P<0.01). EA treatment increased the microcirculation blood flow and attenuated the pathological changes induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were down-regulated, and the TRP protein family was over-expressed in the DRGs of OIPN rats (P<0.01). EA increased the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased the level of TRP protein family in DRG (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA may be a potential alternative therapy for OIPN, and its mechanism may be mainly mediated by restoring the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Schroth exercises improve health-related quality of life and radiographic parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Finding an optimal treatment strategy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients remains challenging because of its intrinsic complexity. For mild to moderate scoliosis patients with lower skeletal growth potential (Risser 3-5), most clinicians agree with observation treatment; however, the curve progression that occurs during puberty, the adolescent period, and even in adulthood, remains a challenging issue for clinicians. The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of Schroth exercise in AIS patients with lower skeletal growth potential (Risser 3-5) and moderate scoliosis (Cobb angle 20°-40°).@*METHODS@#From 2015 to 2017, data of 64 patients diagnosed with AIS in Peking University Third Hospital were reviewed. Forty-three patients underwent Schroth exercise were classified as Schroth group, and 21 patients underwent observation were classified as observation group. Outcomes were measured by health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and radiographic parameters. HRQOL was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back, Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) patient questionnaire. Radiographic spinopelvic parameters were obtained from anteroposterior and lateral X-rays. The pre-treatment and post-treatment HRQOL and radiographic parameters were tested to validate Schroth exercise efficacy. The inter-rater reliability of the radiographic parameters was tested using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The paired t test was used to examine HRQOL and radiographic parameters. Clinical relevance between C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and thoracic kyphosis was analyzed using Spearman correlation.@*RESULTS@#In Schroth group, VAS back score, SRS-22 pain, and SRS-22 self-image domain were significantly improved from pre-treatment 3.0 ± 0.8, 3.6 ± 0.5, and 3.5 ± 0.7 to post-treatment 1.6 ± 0.6 (t = 5.578, P = 0.013), 4.0 ± 0.3 (t = -3.918, P = 0.001), and 3.7 ± 0.4 (t = -6.468, P < 0.001), respectively. No significant improvements of SRS-22 function domain (t = -2.825, P = 0.088) and mental health domain (t = -3.174, P = 0.061) were observed. The mean Cobb angle decreased from 28.9 ± 5.5° to 26.3 ± 5.2° at the final follow-up, despite no statistical significance was observed (t = 1.853, P = 0.102). The mean C2-C7 SVA value decreased from 21.7 ± 8.4 mm to 17.0 ± 8.0 mm (t = -1.224 P = 0.049) and mean T1 tilt decreased from 4.9 ± 4.2 ° to 3.5 ± 3.1° (t = 2.913, P = 0.011). No significant improvement of radiographic parameters and HRQOL were observed in observation group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#For AIS patients with a Risser 3-5 and a Cobb angle 20°-40°, Schroth exercises improved HRQOL and halted curve progression during the follow-up period. Both cervical spine alignment and shoulder balance were also significantly improved after Schroth exercises. We recommend Schroth exercises for patients with AIS.

Influence of Dexmedetomidine Applied in Combined Acupuncture-medication Anesthesia on Vomiting After Thyroidectomy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the influence of dexmedetomidine applied in combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia on vomiting after thyroidectomy. Method Seventy patients who were going to receive thyroidectomy were randomized into group A and B, with 35 cases in each group. Combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia [electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6) and Futu (ST32) plus intravenous infusions of sufentanil citrate injection (0.3 mg/kg) 20 minutes before operation]was adopted in both groups. Group A was additionally intervened by constantvelocity micropump infusion of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection (0.5 mg/kg) within 10 minutes before operation and remaining 0.4 mg/kg/min during operation, while group B was intervened by infusion of normal saline 10 minutes before operation. The observer's assessment of awareness/sedation (OAA/S) scores at different time points[lying in bed for 5 minutes before operation (T0), before the beginning of the operation (T1), 30 minutes after operation (T2), 60 minutes after operation (T3) and at the end of operation (T4)] in the two groups were observed. The additional times and total dose of sufentanil during operation, the number of cases using esmolol and urapidil, and the number of vomiting cases occurred within 2 hours after operation and 2～24 hours after operation in the two groups were recorded.Result The additional times and total dose of sufentanil during operation in group A were significantly different from those in group B (P<0.01). The utilization rate of esmolol and urapidil were respectively 31.4％ and 14.3％ in group A versus 77.1％ and 65.7％ in group B, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The incidence of vomiting within 2 hours after operation and 2～24 hours after operation were respectively 20.0％ and 17.1％in group A versus 54.3％ and 42.9％ in group B, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The OAA/S scores at different time points (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in group A were significantly different from those in group B (P<0.01). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine applied in combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia can reduce the additional times and total dose of sufentanil during thyroidectomy, and it can reduce the incidence of postoperative vomiting as well.

Treatment of subcutaneous fistula secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage in thoracic spinal stenosis cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the treatment strategy for subcutaneous fistula secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL) in thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) cases.@*METHODS@#In the study, 186 CSFL cases diagnosed with TSS and operated in general spine group of Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, of which eleven had subcutaneous fistula secondary to CSFL and were regularly followed up. Treatment strategy for subcutaneous fistula depended on the severity of CSFL and the recovery rate of thoracic myelopathy. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was utilized to evaluate the neurologic status of these patients preoperatively and postoperatively. Statistical analysis was conducted between preoperative and postoperative JOA scores.@*RESULTS@#All of the 11 patients were regularly followed up for at least 24 months. Six of them had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) combined with ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF), all of them undertook "cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression of the spinal cord with instrumentation. Five cases had OLF only, and received En bloc resection of lamina and OLF and fixation. The follow-up period ranged from 30 months to 131 months, and averaged at (85±34) months. Preoperative symptoms lasted from 3 months to 8 years, and the median was 18 months. Drainages were placed for 2-6 days, and averaged at (4.2±1.1) days. Ten cases appeared with fever during the perioperative period, the maximum body temperature was (37.3-39.7) °C. Prolonged antibiotics were applied in two cases with high fever. Ten cases were treated with conservative methods, CSFL were completely absorbed during the follow-up time, of which compressive dressing was utilized in 8 cases, and punctures combined with compressive dressing were used in 2 cases. For only 1 case, conservative therapy failed and reoperation was required because of neurological deterioration arising from CSF pseudocyst. For these 11 cases, preoperative JOA score arose from (3.8±1.6) preoperatively to (8.9±1.2) at the end of the final follow-up, the recovery rate was 70.8%. No infection of wound or central nerve system were noticed, and neither were unhealing wound.@*CONCLUSION@#Most TSS cases with subcutaneous fistula secondary to CSFL could be cured by conservative methods, and reoperation is required only if myelopathy caused by cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst is identified.

Galectin3 Regulates Transforming Growth Factor-β-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the role of Galectin3 in transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A549 cells. Methods Galectin3 was over-expressed in an A549 cell line. EMT was induced in lung cancer A549 cells by adding TGF-β. The expressions of Galectin3,E-cadherin,and vimentin were determined by Western blot. The protein expression of E-cadherin and the morphological changes of the cells were detected by immunofluorescence. Cellular proliferation was analyzed with cell counting kit-8,and the cellular migration and invasion was measured by scratches healing and Transwell assay,respectively.Results When only Galectin3 was over-expressed in A549 cell line,the expression levels of EMT-related proteins such as E-cadherin and vimentin were not changed,and the abilities of cellular proliferation,invasion,and migration were not changed either. When the EMT was induced by TGF-β in A549 cells,the E-cadherin expression was down-regulated and the vimentin expression was up-regulated in A549 cells with Galectin3 over-expression. There was no significant change in cellular proliferation,whereas the abilities of cellular invasion and migration were enhanced.Conclusion The TGF-β-induced EMT in A549 cells can be enhanced by Galectin3.

The research status of pathogenesis of sepsis related thrombocytopenia / 天津医药

Sepsis is a lethal organ dysfunction caused by infection induced reaction maladjustment. Thrombocytopenia is not only a common complication of sepsis, but also closely related to the patient's prognosis. In the clinical treatment, it is important to identify the etiology and pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia associated with sepsis and choose appropriate methods to correct thrombocytopenia in time to improve the prognosis of patients. This article gives an introduction to the research status of the etiology, pathophysiological mechanism and molecular mechanism of sepsis-related thrombocytopenia.

The role of PI3K/AKT in acute kidney injury induced by abdominal sepsis in rats / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the role of PI3K/AKT in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by abdominal sepsis in rat model. Methods The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to establish rat model of abdominal sepsis. The serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer at different time points (24, 48 and 72 h) after operation. The expressions of PI3K/AKT mRNA were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot assay was used to verify the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The serum levels of Cr and BUN were increased significantly in CLP group compared with those of control group (P＜0.05). The expression levels of PI3K/AKT in kidney were significantly increased in rats with abdominal sepsis (P＜0.01). And the released NLRP3 inflammasome, which was activated by PI3K/AKT, was significantly increased (P＜0.01). Meanwhile, compared with the sham-operated group, the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18 were increased significantly (P＜0.01). Conclusion PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays an important role in acute kidney injury induced by abdominal sepsis, which activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, increases the release of inflammatory cytokine and aggravates the sepsis condition.

Preliminary study of rabbit model with corneal neovascularization after thermal burn under the constant temperature / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM:To explore the suitable conditions in rapid model of corneal neovascularization ( CNV ) after thermal burn under different constant temperature in rabbit. METHODS: Total 45 New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly into five groups ( A, B, C, D, E ) . A groups:100℃ ( n = 10 ) , B groups: 200℃ ( n = 10 ) , C groups:300℃ ( n=10 ) , D groups: 400℃ ( n=10 ) , and E groups:control group ( n=5 ) . All left eyes of rabbits in A,B,C,D groups were induced corneal neovascularization by constant temperature burning device. The growth of CNV was observed by slit lamp microscope and the area of CNV were recorded on 4 th , 7 th , 14 th , 30 th days postoperatively. SPSS 19. 0 statistical package was used for data analysis, and the data was recorded by mean ± standard deviation. Comparison by analysis of variance was made by repeated measures in the area of neovascularization at each time point in groups. Statistical tests were considered significantly when P values were less than 0. 05. RESULTS:On postoperative 4 th , 7 th , 14 th , 30 th days: no neovascularization was found after corneal thermal burn in A group, but only a few nebula left (n=2);the area of CNV were (9.16±1.45)mm2, (37.73±5.49)mm2, (62.44± 7. 54 ) mm2 , ( 40. 28 ± 7. 39 ) mm2 in B group respectively;and (11.45±1.04)mm2, (44.51±4.64)mm2, (66.13±4.13)mm2, (43.04±2.33)mm2 in C group respectively; and (13.23± 0.86)mm2,(47.26±4.59)mm2,(67.57±4.56)mm2,(45.59± 4. 44 ) mm2 in D group respectively, and part corneal carbide ( n = 4 ) was observed as well as corneal perforation ( n= 6 ) were found on 3d in D group. No neovascularization was found in normal control group. Comparison of the areas of CNV at each time point between groups was statistically different, P COCLUSlON:ln 4 to 7d, the higher the temperature is, the more the neovascularization area of CNV are. lt has no significant difference in 14 to 30d. But corneal carbide and corneal perforation are often found in 400℃ group, so its modeling failure rate is high. lt is between 200℃ and 300℃ that repeatability and uniformity of the corneal neovascularization model of rabbit are superior.

Effects of modified liangge powder contained serum on LPS stimulated TLR4 expression and release of cytokines in mouse platelets / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Modified Liangge Powder (MLP) on the expressions of platelet toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the release of platelet-derived cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), beta platelet globulin (beta-TG), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The modulating effects on the release of cytokines from mice platelets by TLR4 ligand through monoclonal antibody blocking TLR4 on platelet were compared. The stimulated platelet by LPS was incubated with low (0.94 g/mL), medium (1.89 g/mL), and high (2.84 g/mL) dose of MLP contained serum. The changes of the platelet TLR4 expression and platelet-derived cytokines were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of platelet TLR4 obviously decreased (P < 0.01) and the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets significantly increased (P < 0.01) after stimulated by LPS. However, the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets obviously decreased by TLR4 monoclonal antibody (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in IL-8 between before and after LPS stimulation (P > 0.05). Platelet TLR4 positive expression rate was significantly higher after incubated by medium and high doses of MLP contained serum (P < 0.01), and the releasing of sCD40L and beta-TG was lower in the serum contained groups. The inhibitory effects were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LPS induced platelet activation by TLR4 and released sCD40L and beta-TG, while the release of platelet IL-8 was not dependent on platelet TLR4-LPS pathway. MLP could inhibit LPS-stimulated sCD40L and beta-TG, inhibit the binding of platelet TLR4 and LPS in a dose-dependent manner, thus reducing the release of platelet cytokines.</p>

Expression and identification of sigmaC gene of avian reovirus by baculovirus expression system / 病毒学报

Recombinant baculovirus containing sigmaC gene of Avian reovirus was constructed using Bac-To-Bac Baculovirus expression system, and recombinant sigmaC protein was expressed by infecting the sf9 cell with recombinant baculovirus. Firstly, sigmaC gene of Avian reovirus was cloned and inserted into donor plasmid pFastBacHTA to obtain recombinant donor plasmid pFsigmaC. Plasmid pFsigmaC was transformed into E. coli DH10Bac for integration into bacmid vector and the recombinant bacmid plasmid BacmidsigmaC was obtained. Recombinant baculovirus rBacsigmaC was obtained by transfection of the sf9 cells with BacmidsigmaC. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were carried and the results showed that the recombinant sigmaC protein with 37 kDa molecular weight was expressed successfully.

Intraoperative ultrasonography in "cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression for thoracic spinal stenosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The surgical outcomes of decompression for thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) are unfavorable. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography during "cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression surgery in patients with TSS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen patients with TSS underwent "cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression surgery between May 2010 and November 2010. Intraoperative ultrasonography was used after removal of the posterior wall of thoracic spinal canal to assess the morphologic restoration of the spinal cord and the anterior surface of the spinal canal. In seven patients, ultrasonography was used again after circumferential decompression to compare the cross-sectional area of the spinal cord before and after circumferential decompression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average period of follow-up was (12 ± 2) months (range 9 - 15 months). The Japanese Orthopedic Association score was significantly higher at the final follow-up (8.5 ± 2.1, range 3 - 10) than preoperatively (5.2 ± 1.1, range 3 - 7; P < 0.01). The cross-sectional area of the spinal cord was (30.8 ± 6.6) mm2 before and (53.6 ± 19.1) mm2 after circumferential decompression (P < 0.01). For five patients with TSS caused by thoracic disc herniation, the levels of circumferential decompression performed corresponded to those expected preoperatively. In contrast, for eight patients with TSS caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, on average 1.6 ± 0.9 fewer levels of circumferential decompression were performed than expected preoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>"Cave-in" 360° circumferential decompression is an effective therapeutic option for TSS. Intraoperative ultrasonographic evaluation may reduce the levels of circumferential decompression and ensure sufficient decompression, and increase the efficacy of this surgical technique.</p>

Study on the relationship between partial deletions in the azzospermia factor C region of Y chromosome and male infertility / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between the partial deletions in the azzospermia factor(AZFc) region of Y chromosome and male infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multiplex PCR technology was performed to screen the partial deletions in the AZFc region in 158 azoospermia, 160 severe oligozoospermia and 135 oligozoospermia patients and 236 men with normal spermatogenesis.For samples with gr/gr, b2/b3 recombinogenic deletions, author applied RFLP method to identify which DAZ gene doublet deletion was involved.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The gr/gr and b2/b3 were two types of common deletions detected. There were significant differences in the b2/b3 deletion in patients with oligozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia compared to the controls (both P< 0.05). However, there was no difference for the gr/gr deletion between the patients and controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested that the b2/b3 deletion might be a risk factor to spermatogenic impairment and might lead to male infertility.</p>

Analysis of epidemiological features of endemic arsenism in Huhhot of Inner Mongolia in 2004-2006 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study the epidemiological features of the endemic arsenism in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia in 2004-2006 in order to get scientific evidence for the control and prevention. Methods The historical data in Huhhot revealed that 51 arsenic villages in 3 counties(Tumotezuo,Tuoketuo and Helingeer) were investigated. When arsenic content in drinking water was 0.05-0.15 mg/L,the situation of endemic arsenism was investigated in the households having high arsenic contents of water. When arsenic content in drinking water was greater than 0.15 mg/L,the survey was conducted to investigate arsenic patients with census. Census rate was not lower than 90%. Patients of endemic amenism were diagnosed by The Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001). Results A total 28 083 people were examined,3978 were determined to be patients with arsenism,including 1722 being suspicious, 1897 mild,329 secondary and 30 severe. The total incidence of arsenism was 14.17% (3978/28 083),while the incidence of suspicious,mild,secondary and severe disease was 6.13% (1722/28 083) ,6.75% (1897/28 083),1.17% (329/28 083) and 0.11% (30/28 083),respectively. Suspicious and mild patients were most frequently seen. The incidence of dyspigmentation,pigmentation,ketatoses,both dyspigmentation and pigmentation and all of skin disorders was 8.65% (2428/28 083),3.19% (895/28 083),6.48% (1821/28 083),2.13%(598/28 083) and 0.94%(265/28 083),respectively. The most seen skin disorders were dyspigmentation and ketatoses. The disease mostly occurred in those aged over 40 years,the incidence was 89.52% (3561/3978). The incidence of male [15.08%(2209/14 644)]was more than that of female[13.16%(1769/13 439)].Conclusions Current condition of arsenism in Hohhot is mild,arsenic disease surveillance should keep going. Prevention and control needs to be reinforced in the future.

Effect of IER3IP1 gene expression on the proliferation and erythroid differentiation of K562 cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of IER3IIP1 gene silence by RNA interference on erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting IER3IP1 gene were constructed. Silence effect was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR after the vectors being transfected into K562 cells. The impact on K562 cells was studied by MTT assay, benzidine staining, light microscope and electron microscopy observation, flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. The expression of erythroid differentiation-related genes Gfi-1B, GPA and gamma-globin and GPA protein expressed on these cells were studied after being exposed to 0.2 micromol/L imatinib for 48 hours.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of IER3IP1 gene was significantly inhibited with a inhibition rate of 76% (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, bcr-abl mRNA level was significantly increased in K562-shRNA-IER3IP1 group (P<0.05). The proliferation capacity was significantly enhanced (P<0.01) and the proportion of cells at G0/G1 phase significantly decreased while at S phase significantly increased (P <0.05) in K562-shRNA-IER3IP1 group. Under the electron microscopy observation, the number of euchromatin was increased while heterochromatin decreased. There were structural abnormalities in endocytoplasmic reticulum and clusters of vesicular. The proportion of benzidine staining positive cells decreased from (44.7 +/- 2.5)% in control group to (22.7 +/- 1.5)% in tested group (P<0.01). mRNA expression of Gfi-1B, GPA and gamma-globin gene and the expression of GPA protein on cell surface were all significantly decreased after being exposed to 0.2 micromol/L imatinib for 48 hours in K562-shRNA-IER3IP1 group (P<0.01). During the erythroid differentiation induced by imatinib, mRNA expression of IER3IP1 obviously increased at the 3 h, and decreased from 6 h to 48 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inhibition of expression of IER3IP1 gene can inhibit erythroid differentiation and elevate the proliferation of K562 cells. The IER3IP1 gene may play a role on erythroid differentiation and proliferation of K562 cells.</p>

Preliminary study on characteristics of the Illustrations of Moxibustion in Dunhuang Caves in treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments / 中国针灸

The Illustrations of Moxibustion, a remained book in Dunhuang Caves, is available the earliest monograph about moxibustion methods with both pictures and writing since recorded writing. In treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments, point association for correspondence between man and universe was adopted human point distribution according to Jiugong and Bagua; and point association method of viewing the situation as a whole according to humam point distribution on the head, the body and the limbs; it wrote and drew available the earliest naked figures for acupuncture and moxibustion in simple natural materialism; and it is the most reasonable, the most complete explanation of sexual science in Chinese medicine, and is a sample for treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments by ancient physicians stressing moxibustion, with convenient point selection and safety.

Using multiplex PCR to analyze the breakpoint of a severe Y-chromosome deletion / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To elucidate the relationship between azoospermia factor(AZF) microdeletion of Y chromosome and azoospermia, the exact breakpoint of a severe Y-chromosome deletion was determined according to the physical map of AZF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify fifteen sequence tagged sites (STS), namely sY82, sY84, sY86 in AZFa, sY124, sY127, sY128, sY133, sY134, sY143 in AZFb, sY239, sY242 sY254, sY255 in AZFc, and sY145, sY152 in AZFd; sex-determining region Y(SRY) was taken as an internal control. And then sY82,sY86,sY85,sY84 were further analyzed using the sample of the patient who had Y-chromosome deletion by G band analysis to map the breakpoint at molecular level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All 15 STS and sY85 were amplified in positive control while only sY82, sY86 were amplified in the clinical sample, thus the breakpoint was found to be between sY86 and sY85.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study on the patient provided the direct biomolecular evidence of the exact breakpoint of the severe Y-chromosome deletion and established the deletion map of acrocentric chromosome. It also proved that the patient's azoospermia was due to the deletion of AZF.</p>

A genetic study on microdeletion of azoospermia factor region on Y chromosome of azoospermia and oligozoospermia patients / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the genetic causes of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cytogenetic analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR) analysis were done on the 148 patients with azoospermia and serious oligozoospermia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven of the 148(7.4%) cases showed microdeletion of at least one STS. In fifteen STS of AZFa, AZFb,AZFd, AZFc, thirteen STS, eleven STS,two STS and one STS microdeletion were found in each case respectively, including two with 12 STS, five with 5 STS microdeletion.Seven cases had chromosomal morphologic changes(4.7%),four had deletion and one had deletion with translocation of long arm on Y chromosome. One had enlarged region one band two(q12) on long arm of Y chromosome and one had reciprocal translocation of autosomes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings indicated that AZF microdeletion and chromosomal abnormality should be important causes of male infertility.</p>

Effect of carnosine on steroid-induced modification of lens α-crystallin / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore whether carnosine can protect α -crys-tallin modification and decreased chaperone by a steroid,and whether carnosine could directly react with a steroid.METHODS: Bovine lens α L-crystallin was separated by size-exclusion chromatography on a Sephacyl S-300 HR column. α L-Crystallin was incubated with different concentrations of prednisolone-21-hemisuccinate (P-21-H)with or without carnosine for different times. The chaperone activity of α L-crystallin was monitored using the prevention thermal aggregation of α L-crystallin. The modified α L-crystallinwas examined by SDS-PAGE and fluorescence measurements. The absorbance spectra of solutions of carnosine and P-21-H were investigated.RESULTS: P-21-H decreased the chaperone activity ofα L-crystallin in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. Carnosine only worsened this effect. The tryptophan fluorescence intensity of α L-crystallin modified by P-21-H was significantly decreased compared to unmodified crystallin, whereas its non-tryptophan fluorescence was increased with a shift to longer wavelengths in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting that new fluorophores are possibly formed. Carnosine readily reacted with P-21-H thereby inhibiting steroid-mediated protein modification as revealed electrophoretically. The increased absorbance was time-dependent, suggesting adducts may be formed between carnosine and P-21-H.CONCLUSION: Carnosine reacts with P-21-H, which suggests carnosine's potential as a possible anti-seroid agent.

A cytogenetic and molecular genetic study on microdeletion of AZF region on Y chromosome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the morphology of Y chromosome and microdeletion of the correlated specific azoospermia factor(AZF) region on Y chromosome in cases of azoospermia and to identify the genetic diagnosis made for male infertility patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood samples were taken from two patients with azoospermia, and then were examined by use of G banding, C banding cytogenetic analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The karyotypes of the two cases were 45, X, -Y, -22, +der(Y)t(Y;22)(q11.2;q11.2) and 46, XY, del(Y)(q11.2) respectively. In 12 sequence-tagged sites(STS) of AZFa, AZFb, AZFd, AZFc, only one was detected in the first case and two were detected in the other case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cytogenetic analysis and the detection of AZF microdeletion on Y chromosome are essential to the final genetic diagnosis to be made for male infertility patients.</p>