Prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism among middle-aged and elderly males in China: results from a national survey / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to propose an operational definition of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) that incorporates both clinical symptoms and serum testosterone measurements to evaluate the prevalence of LOH in aging males in China. A population-based sample of 6296 men aged 40 years-79 years old was enrolled from six representative provinces in China. Serum total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured and free testosterone (cFT) was calculated. The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale was used to evaluate the LOH symptoms. Finally, 5078 men were included in this analysis. The TT levels did not decrease with age (P = 0.59), and had no relationship with AMS symptoms (P = 0.87 for AMS total score, P = 0.74 for ≥ 3 sexual symptoms). The cFT levels decreased significantly with age (P < 0.01) and showed a negative association with the presence of ≥ 3 sexual symptoms (P = 0.03). The overall estimated prevalence of LOH was 7.8% (395/5078) if a cFT level <210 pmol l

Screening Abnormal Hemoglobin Diseases for Couples of Childbearing Age in Guangzhou City by HPLC / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence and common types of abnormal hemoglobin diseases of the couples at childbearing age by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in Guangzhou city.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The couple of childbearing age in the Birth defect intervention project and Free pre pregnancy health examination were screened from October 2008 to February 2016 in Guangzhou city. The HPLC was used to detect abnormal hemoglobin; The Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot(RDB) were used to detect thalassemia gene deletions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The detection rate of hemoglobinopathies was 1.14% in the couples of childbearing age in Guangzhou city. 8 kinds of abnormal hemoglobin were detected: Hb E in 102 cases(17 cases with α thalassemia) , Hb Q-Thailand in 20 cases(18 cases with α thalassemia, 2 cases with α and β thalassemia), Hb D-Iran in 4 cases(2 cases with α thalassemia, 1 case with α and β thalassemia), Hb G-Honolulu in 3 cases(1 case with α thalassemia), Hb J-Bangkok in 2 cases(2 cases with α thalassemia), Hb Osu-Christiansborg in 1 case(with α thalassemia), Hb Hasharon in 1 case(with α thalassemia), Hb Koln in 1 case(with α thalassemia).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The incidence of abnormal hemoglobin diseases in Guangzhou area has been found to be more high, 8 kinds of abnormal hemoglobin are found by HPLC, the HPLC is an effective way to screen the couples of childbearing age for β thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies.</p>

Latest progress in postmortem interval estimation / 法医学杂志

Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) has been one of the most important and complicated issues in the forensic practice. In order to provide novel perspectives for the future research concerning PMI, the advantages and disadvantages of related traditional methods, postmortem degradation of nucleic acid and tissue, the componential change of vitreous humor and histological biochemistry since 2002 have been introduced and compared in this review.

Changes in liver function and immune function following laparoscopic and traditional open cholecystectomy: a comparative study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC) on liver function and immune function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two patients with normal liver function underwent LC (n=21) or OC (n=21) according to the patients' preference. One day before and 7 days after the operations, the liver functions (ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB) and immune functions (CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cell percentage, IgA, IgM, IgG and C3, C4) of the patients were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No statistical differences were found in the liver functions or immune functions between the two groups after the operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LC and OC show no significant difference in the effects on the liver function and immune function.</p>

Video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy and transsternal extended thymectomy for treatment of myasthenia gravis: a case-control study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) and transsternal extended thymectomy (TET) for myasthenia gravis (MG).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>This study included 21 patients undergoing VATET through the "three holes" approach on the right chest and 32 undergoing TET with sternum dissection. The thymus was excised and the anterior mediastinum adipose tissue removed in both groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VATET was associated with reduced intraoperative blood loss and longer operative time without the use of postoperative analgesics; very few patients were admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU), showing significant differences from the TET group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in tracheal tube removal time, length of stay in ICU, closed thoracic drainage removal time, and postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, postoperative complications, total hospitalization costs, or the rate of remission and improvement (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with TET, VATET requires only a small incision without leaving metal foreign body in the body, and the patients experience less postoperative pain and rapid recovery, with similar mid- and long-term clinical outcomes.</p>

Experimental study on treatment of endometriosis with xiaochaihu decoction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Xiaochaihu Decoction (XCHD) on ectopic endometrium in rats with endometriosis and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat model of endometriosis was established and rats were divided into 5 groups, the low dosage of XCHD group (5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) , n = 10) , the medium dosage of XCHD group (10 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), n =10), the high dosage of XCHD group (15 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), n = 10) , the danazol group(0. 1 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), n =9) and the control group(20 ml x kg(-1) x d(-1) distilled water, n = 10). After treated for four successive weeks, the effect of XCHD on ectopic endometrium was evaluated by observing the changes in transmission electron microscopy. Fas and Caspase-3 protein expression in endometrium and endometriotic tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ectopic endometrial growth was markedly inhibited (P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01) in all the XCHD groups; Fas and Caspase-3 protein expressions of ectopic endometrial tissue were higher than those in the endometrium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XCHD could inhibit the growth of the ectopic endometrium in rats with experimentally induced endometriosis. The therapeutic mechanism may be related to promoting the apoptosis in ectopic endometrial tissue by increasing Fas protein expression.</p>