Bis (2-butoxyethyl) Phthalate Delays Puberty Onset by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Leydig Cells in Rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the effects of bis (2-butoxyethyl) phthalate (BBOP) on the onset of male puberty by affecting Leydig cell development in rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to five groups mg/kg bw per day that were gavaged for 21 days with BBOP at 0, 10, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg bw per day. The hormone profiles; Leydig cell morphological metrics; mRNA and protein levels; oxidative stress; and AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, and GSK3β pathways were assessed.@*RESULTS@#BBOP at 250 and/or 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased Leydig cell number mg/kg bw per day and downregulated Cyp11a1, Insl3, Hsd11b1, and Dhh in the testes, and Lhb and Fshb mRNAs in the pituitary gland (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the testis significantly increased, while Sod1 and Sod2 mRNAs were markedly down-regulated, by BBOP treatment at 250-500 mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased AKT1/AKT2, mTOR, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and GSK3β and SIRT1 levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Finally, BBOP at 100 or 500 μmol/L induced ROS and apoptosis in Leydig cells after 24 h of treatment in vitro (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BBOP delays puberty onset by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in Leydig cells in rats.@*UNLABELLED@#The graphical abstract is available on the website www.besjournal.com.

Scrotal Sparganosis Mimicking Scrotal Teratoma in an Infant: A Case Report and Literature Review

Sparganosis is an infection with a parasitic tapeworm larva that occurs by eating infected foods or drinking contaminated water. The larvae can migrate to a tissue or muscle in the chest, abdominal wall, extremities, eyes, brain, urinary tract, pleura, pericardium, spinal canal, or scrotum. Herein, we report a 5-month old infant with scrotal sparganosis who was initially suspected to have a scrotal inflammatory mass with a history of applying raw frog meat into the umbilicus. Preoperative ultrasound examinations and computed tomography (CT) scanning misdiagnosed the mass as a scrotal teratoma. The scrotal mass was surgically removed, and the histopathology proved it to be scrotal sparganosis. This case displays the youngest patient ever reported with scrotal sparganosis, and the first description of CT characteristics of scrotal sparganosis. A detailed medical history is necessary for patients with scrotal masses suspected of sparganosis. In addition, ultrasound and CT examinations are helpful to rule out other causes of a scrotal mass.

Value of transrectal ultrasound in diagnosing middle ureteral calculi / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To explore the value of transrectal ultrasound (TRS) in diagnosing middle ureteral calculi.Methods Patients who were suspected as middle urinary calculi by clinicians underwent transabdominal ultrasound (TAS) and transrectal ultrasound in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and West Medicine from 2011 to 2012. The diagnosis were finally confirmed by a variety of methods .Results Forty patients were eventually diagnosed as middle ureteral calculi by X-ray,computer tomography (CT),surgery,intravenous pyelography (IVP)imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).The other 5 cases were diagnosed as ureteral tumor , ureteral cystis(confirmed by MRI)and oppressed ureteral by gynecology cystis (confirmed by surgery).TRS detected 37 of 40 middle ureteral calculi(92.5%).TAS detected 8 of 40 middle ureteral calculi(20.0%). The detection ratio of TRS was higher than that of TAS and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.00).TAS could display ureter across iliac blood vessels expansion in all 40 patients.Conclusions Using TRS in diagnosing middle ureteric calculi is quick , convenient with high sensitivity and worthy of wide application.TAS can display ureter across iliac blood vessels expansion and can help to diagnosis of middle ureteral calculi.

Effect of Safflor injection on the intestine ultrastructure characteristics following intestine ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore effects of Safflor (Chinese Tradional Medicine) on the intestine ultrastructure characteristics during intestine ischemia/ reperfusion injury (I/RI) in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group (group S), ischemia/reperfusion group (group I/R) and Safflor injection group (group SI). Morphological changes of intestine ischemia/reperfusion in rabbits and the protective effects of Safflor were observed under electric telescope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The intestine ultrastructure was badly injured in group I/R. Mitochondria and intestinal mucosal cells were swellen and endoplasmic reticulum expanded, however, in the SI group the ultrastructural injury of the ischemia greatly ameliorated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ultrastructure injury occurrted after intestine I/RI and Safflor has protective effects on the intestine ultrastructure.</p>

Morphological Alteration of Testis after Intra-Abdominal Dissection of Spermatic Vessel in Rats in Prepuberty / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of high spermatic vessel dissection on testicular morphological alteration of SD rats in prepuberty,puberty and sexual maturity phases.Methods Thirty-day-old SD rats were divided into 2 groups underwent sham operation and left high spermatic vessel dissection as a simulation of Palomo′s maneuver.Detailed morphological investigations were made at 3 different postoperative intervals among the 3rd day,30th day and 56th day.Results High spermatic vessel dissection in prepubertal rats induced acute testicular ischemia in the operated testes on the 3rd day.Most of the operated testes on the 30th day showed testicular atrophy.And all the operated testes showed testicular atrophy and sperm disappearance in epididymis on the 56th day.Conclusion High dissection of spermatic vessel in prepubertal rats induced testicular ischemia in prepuberty and testicular growth failure in puberty,testicular atrophy completely and sperm production losing in sexual maturity phase.