Circular RNA circRSF1 binds to HuR to promote radiation-induced inflammatory phenotype in hepatic stellate cells / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether circular RNA circRSF1 regulates radiation-induced inflammatory phenotype of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by binding to HuR protein and repressing its function.@*METHODS@#Human HSC cell line LX2 with HuR overexpression or knockdown was exposed to 8 Gy X-ray irradiation, and the changes in the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) were detected by qRT-PCR. The expressions of IκBα and phosphorylation of NF-κB were detected with Western blotting. The binding of circRSF1 to HuR was verified by RNA pull-down assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP). The expressions of inflammatory factors, IκBα and the phosphorylation of NF-κB were detected after modifying the interaction between circRSF1 and HuR.@*RESULTS@#Knockdown of HuR significantly up- regulated the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, decreased IκBα expression and promoted NF-κB phosphorylation in irradiated LX2 cells, whereas overexpression of HuR produced the opposite changes (P < 0.05). Overexpression or knockdown of circRSF1 did not significantly affect the expression of HuR. RNA pull-down and RIP experiments confirmed the binding between circRSF1 and HuR. Overexpression of circRSF1 significantly reduced the binding of HuR to IκBα and down-regulated the expression of IκBα (P < 0.05). Overexpression of circRSF1 combined with HuR overexpression partially reversed the up-regulation of the inflammatory factors, down-regulated IκBα expression and increased phosphorylation of NFκB in LX2 cells, while the opposite effects were observed in cells with knockdown of both circRSF1 and HuR (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#circRSF1 reduces IκBα expression by binding to HuR to promote the activation of NF-κB pathway, thereby enhancing radiation- induced inflammatory phenotype of HSCs.

Structural characterization, in vivo toxicity and biological activity of two new pyro-type diterpenoid alkaloids derived from 3-acetylaconitine / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The transformations that occur in diterpenoid alkaloids during the process of sand frying for Chinese herbal medicine preparation have yet to be clarified. This study investigated the structural changes that take place in 3-acetylaconitine during a simulation of heat-processing and evaluated the toxicity and biological activity of the pyrolysis products.@*METHODS@#The diterpenoid alkaloid 3-acetylaconitine was heated at 180 °C for 15 min to simulate the process of sand frying. The pyrolysis products were separated using column chromatography, and their structures were investigated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Further, in vivo cardiotoxicity and acute toxicity of 3-acetylaconitine and its pyrolysis products were compared, and the aconitine-induced arrhythmia model was employed to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of the pyrolysis products.@*RESULTS@#Two new diterpenoid alkaloids, pyroacetylaconitine and 16-epi-pyroacetylaconitine, a pair of epimers at C-16, were isolated. After comparing the structures of these compounds, possible transformation pathways were proposed. Compared with the prototype compound, 3-acetylaconitine, the cardiotoxicity and acute toxicity of the heat-transformed products were significantly decreased. In the biological activity assay, the two pyrolysis products exhibited an effective increase in ventricular premature beat latency, a reduction in the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia, as well as an increase in the rate of arrhythmia inhibition, implying strong antiarrhythmic activity.@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with 3-acetylaconitine, its pyrolysis products displayed lower toxicity and good antiarrhythmic effects; thus, they have potential for being developed into antiarrhythmic medicines. Please cite this article as: Wang YJ, Wang Y, Tao P. Structural characterization, in vivo toxicity and biological activity of two new pyro-type diterpenoid alkaloids derived from 3-acetylaconitine. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 302-314.

Psychological care combined with enhanced recovery after surgery management in perioperative nursing care of andrological patients: A randomized controlled study / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the validity of psychological care combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (PC+ERAS) management in perioperative nursing care of andrological patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 300 male patients undergoing andrological surgery were included in this study, 150 given PC+ERAS and the other 150 receiving routine nursing care as controls. We evaluated anxiety and depression of all the patients on admission and discharge using Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and compared post-operative hospital days, off-bed time, first passage of flatus, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and satisfaction with nursing care between the two groups of patients.@*RESULTS@#On discharge, significant improvement was observed in SAS and SDS scores in the PC+ERAS group compared with the baseline, even more significant than in the control group (P 0.05). The patients in the PC+ERAS group also achieved a significantly shorter post-operative hospital stay, earlier post-operative off-bed time and passage of flatus, lower VAS score, and higher satisfaction with nursing care than those in the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Psychological care combined with ERAS management deserves wide application in the perioperative nursing care of andrological patients, which can significantly improve the patients' anxiety and depression, shorten post-operative hospital stay, reduce VAS score, and increase their satisfaction with nursing care.

Human papillomavirus infection in men with condyloma acuminatum: Genotype analysis of 70 cases / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the distribution of the gene subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) in male patients with condyloma acuminatum (CA) and analyze the characteristics of the gene subtypes.@*METHODS@#We extracted genomic DNA of the HPV virus from the genital tissue of 70 male CA patients, detected the DNA subtypes of HPV using the PCR-reverse dot hybridization technique, and analyzed the rates of different subtypes identified and their characteristics of distribution in different age groups.@*RESULTS@#The male HPV-positive patients were mainly infected at the age of 20－39 years, primarily with high- and low-risk mixed infection of various subtypes, which accounted for 61.54% in the 20- to 29-year-olds and 42.86% in the 30- to 39-year-olds. Among the 70 CA patients, 22 HPV subtypes were identified, the top five subtypes including HPV 11 (21.08%), HPV 6 (19.46%), HPV 42 (6.49%), HPV 59 (6.49%) and HPV 53 (5.95%); 20 infected with a single subtype (28.57%), 19 with two subtypes (27.14%) and 31 with three or more (44.29%); and 30 infected with a low-risk single subtype (42.86%) and 40 with both high- and low-risk multiple subtypes (57.14%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Male patients with CA are mainly infected with HPV 11 and HPV 6, with a significantly higher rate of multi-subtype than single-subtype infection, and the multi-subtype patients chiefly with high- and low-risk mixed infection. Men aged 20－39 years old are most commonly affected by CA.

Management of an Adult with Goodpasture's Syndrome Following Brain Trauma with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

A 22-year-old man suffered from acute pulmonary hemorrhage and deteriorated renal function occurred within 3 days after traumatic brain injury. Mechanical ventilation cannot correct his severe hypoxemia, therefore, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support was initiated and finally resolved his hypoxemia. Concomitantly, continuous renal replacement therapy was performed to improve his kidney function. Although no anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody was detected in serum, Goodpasture's syndrome was considered. After treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and plasmapheresis, his renal function was significantly improved. ECMO was eventually discontinued after 60 hours of treatment and extubated on day 10. He was discharged home with normal pulmonary and renal functions.

Risk and protection of fertility in male cancer patients / 中华男科学杂志

Gonad damage is one of the major complications of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery in male cancer patients. For those who wish for childbearing after treatment, it is of great significance how to protect the reproductive function of the cancer patients. The main strategy for fertility protection is to optimize the treatment protocol, hormone therapy, antioxidant therapy, and the preservation of sperm and testicular tissue. This article presents an overview on the pathogenesis of gonadal damage induced by different treatments and protection of the reproductive function of the patient.

Protective effect of Ulinastatin on intestinal barrier function of elderly patients with sepsis / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of Ulinastatin (UTI) on intestinal barrier function of elderly patients with sepsis in order to explore an optimized program of early treatment for such patients instituting a guidelines for clinical practice.Methods All selected patients randomly (ramdom number) divided into conventional treatment group (n =34) and UTI treatment group (n =34).Peripheral venous blood samples of elderly patients with sepsis were routinely taken at days 0,2,3,7 (D0,D2,D3,D7) after admission for detecting the changes of ptasma values of Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP),Diamine oxidase (DAO),and D-lactate (D-Lac).While patients' APACHE Ⅱscores,length of ICU stay and 28 d mortality also were recorded at the same time.Results At admission,there were no significant differences in patients' APACHE Ⅱscores,plasma values of IFABP,DAO and D-Lac between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).During the course of treatment,the patients' APACHE Ⅱscores,plasma values of IFABP,DAO and D-Lac were declining in both groups,while those declinations in UTI group showed significantly more prominent.Compared with conventional therapy group,IFABP level was significandy lower in UTI group (P ＜ 0.05),and the plasma values of DAO and D-Lac were significantly lower at D2 and D3 in UTI group (P ＜ 0.05),but not at D7 (P ＞ 0.05).The plasma levels of IFABP,DAO and D-Lac were positively associated with APACHE Ⅱscores,but not with length of ICU-stay (P ＞0.05).After treatment,28d mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (P ＞0.05).Conclusions UTI has a protective effect on intestinal barrier function in elderly patients with sepsis.UTI can improve the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis and reduce ICU stay,while has no significant effect on reducing 28 d mortality.

Bisphenol A alters glucose metabolism in rat Sertoli cells in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of different concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) on glucose metabolism and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro and investigate the mechanisms of BPA inducing male infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using two-step enzyme digestion, we isolated Sertoli cells from male Wistar rats and constructed a primary Sertoli cell system, followed by immunohistochemical FasL staining. We randomly divided the Sertoli cells into a control group to be cultured in the serum-free minimal essential medium (MEM) plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and three experimental groups to be treated with 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA, respectively, in the MEM plus DMSO. After 48 hours of treatment, we measured the proliferation of the cells by CCK-8 assay, determined the concentrations of metabolites by NMR spectroscopy, and detected the expression of LDH in the Sertoli cells by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The purity of the isolated Sertoli cells was (96.05 ± 1.28)% (n = 10). Compared with the control group, the 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA groups showed no remarkable changes in the proliferation of Sertoli cells ([98 ± 8]%, [96 ± 3]%, and [95 ± 3]%, P >0.05), but the 10 μmol/L and 1 mmol/L of BPA groups exhibited significantly decreased concentrations of intracellular glucose ([3.89 ± 0.07] vs [3.36 ± 0.24] and [3.04 ± 0.21] pmol/cell, P <0.05) and lactate ([0.43 ± 0.06] vs [0.29 ± 0.05] and [0.20 ± 0.03] pmol/cell, P <0.05). The expression of LDH mRNA was decreased with the increased concentration of BPA, while that of LDH protein reduced only in the 1 mmol/L BPA group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-concentration BPA decreases the expression of LDH and alters glucose metabolism in Sertoli cells, and therefore may reduce the provision of lactate for germ cells and impair spermatogenesis.</p>

Protective effect of ulinastatin on intestinal barrier function of septic rats / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To observe the protective effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on the intestinal barrier function of septic rats.Methods Septic rat model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method.Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 for each grop) : sham group, septic group and UTI group.All rats received intraperitoneal injections of 0.9％ saline (10 mL/kg) after and 8 h after surgery.In UTI group, UTI (10 × 104 U/kg in 10 mL/kg saline) was injected after and 8 h after surgery.Collect blood samples after 0, 8, 12 h after surgery to examine levels of procalcitonin (PCT), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) and diamine oxidase (DAO) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.Rats were killed 12 h after surgery to collect intestine tissue samples.Pathological changes of intestine were observed under microscopy, and the expression of tight junction protein-1 (ZO-1) and occludin were analyzed by Western blot.Results In sham group, the mucosa structure was complete and the shape was normal, and villi stood neatly.In septic group, intestinal was expanded, intertinal mucosal was atrophic, villi were scanty.An inflammatory infiltrate with numerous nuetrophils was found in the mucosal.In UTI group, the level of severity was relatively slight.The relative optical density of Western blot images were decreased on ZO-1 and occludin in CLP and UTI groups, and decreased more in CLP group (F =43.15 and 52.23, P ＜ 0.05).At 0h after surgery, the plasma values of PCT, iFABP and DAO were similar in three groups (F =11.17, 22.45 and 13.58, P ＞ 0.05).At 8h and 12h after surgery, values of PCT, iFABP and DAO in septic and UTI groups were much higher than those in the sham group, and those in UTI group were also significantly higher than those in septic group (F8h=85.26, 44.59 and 101.47, F12h =59.44, 49.26 and 69.57, all P＜0.05).PCT, iFABP and DAO levels were first increased and then fell down in sham group, those in septic group were keeping increasing, and those in UTI group were first increased and then kept stable.Conclusion UTI shows protective effect to intestinal barrier function in rats with sepsis.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To translate the English version of The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) into Chinese, evaluate its reliability and validity, and analyze its feasibility in the diagnosis of premature ejaculation (PE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Following the forward-backward translation procedure, we developed the Chinese version of PEDT, which was then revised by andrologists and bilingual linguists. We enrolled subjects with or without PE from 15 urological or andrological clinics in China and obtained the information about their demographic characteristics, PEDT scores, and intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). We evaluated the internal consistency of PEDT using Cronbach alpha, was examined its reliability and stability by test-retest analysis, analyzed its correlation with IELT by Spearman correlation analysis, and tested its sensitivity and specificity by receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 570 PE patients (aged [30.66 ± 7.11] years) and 226 non-PE men (aged [33.01 ± 5.41] years) were recruited, with the mean IELT of (1.34 ± 0.54) min in the former and (11.09 ± 7.5) min in the latter group. The Cronbach's alpha of the Chinese version of PEDT was 0.79, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.75 (P < 0.01). The PEDT score was negatively correlated with IELT (Spearman's p = -0.52, P < 0.01). When the cutoff value of PE diagnosis was defined as 7.5, the sensitivity and specificity of PEDT were 0.80 and 0.78, and when as 8.5, they were 0.72 and 0.89, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Chinese version of PEDT was demonstrated to have good internal consistency, reliability, and validity, as well as a high predictability for PE. It can be used as a reliable and convenient tool to screen PE among Chinese men.</p>

Expression of GDNF in rat Sertoli cells cultured in vitro at different temperatures / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of hyperthermia inducing infertility by observing the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rat Sertoli cells cultured in vitro at different temperatures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using combination enzyme digestion and selective adhesion, we isolated Sertoli cells from male Wistar rats and cultured them in vitro at different temperatures, followed by observation of the changes in their adhesion and morphology and identification by FasL immunohistochemical staining. We divided the Sertoli cells into a control group (35 degrees C) and four experimental groups (36 degrees C, 37 degrees C, 38 degrees C, and 39 degrees C), measured their proliferation by CCK-8, observed their morphology and structure by HE staining, and determined the expression of GDNF by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sertoli cells were successfully isolated and in vitro-cultured, with a purity of (95.30 +/- 2.15)% (n = 10). The CCK-8 assay showed that the proliferation of the Sertoli cells was the highest at 36 degrees C, gradually decreasing with the temperature above 36 degrees C, and significantly inhibited at 39 degrees C (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence revealed the expression of GDNF in the cytoplasm, with the highest fluorescence intensity at 36 degrees C. RT-PCR and Western blot exhibited a decreasing trend of the GDNF expression with the increasing temperature above 36 degrees C. There were statistically significant differences in the expression of GDNF between the control group and the four experimental groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proliferation and GDNF expression of in vitro-cultured Sertoli cells differ significantly at different temperatures. At > 36 degrees C, the higher the temperature is, the lower the Sertoli cell proliferation and GDNF expression are. Our findings suggest that high temperature above 36 degrees C suppresses the function of Sertoli cells and may also damage spermatogenesis.</p>

Study of the mechanisms of curcumin on mitochondrial permeability transition of hepatocytes in rats with sepsis / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To study the effects of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) on hepatocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial damage,and investigate the effects of curcumin on MPT and the related mechanisms in septic rat.Methods Fifteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham group,sepsis group and curcumin group,with 5 rats in each group.Septic rat model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).The rats in sham group were flipped the cecum without perforation and ligation.The rats in the curcumin group were treated with curcumin 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 (dissolved in saline to 10 mL/kg) by oral gavage for 7 days,while the other groups were treated with normal saline.Tissue samples were harvested in each group at 12 hours after operation.Pathological changes in hepatic mitochondria were observed under electron microscopy,concentration of free calcium was examined with confocal laser scanning microscope.After Fluo-3/AM staining,protein and mRNA expression of active caspase-3,Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Under the transmission electron microscope,intact cell membrane,adqulis cytoplasm,and normal and clear mitochondrion was found in the sham group.Mitochondria in sepsis group swelled obviously with mitochondrial cristae broken or disappearance,unclear bilateral membrane structure,while the curcumin group showed much less pathological changes,with few mitochondria swell,and smear bilateral membrane structure.The fluorescence intensity index of sham group,sepsis group and curcumin group was raised successively (417.33 ± 15.88,772.95 ± 42.37,1 560.84 ± 160.78,respectively,F=184.149,P=0.000).The protein and mRNA expression of active caspase-3 and Bax had the highest level in sepsis group,followed by the curcumin group,and that in the sham group was the lowest [active caspase-3 protein (gray scale):1.698 ± 0.061,0.694 ± 0.045,0.246 ± 0.027,F=1 289.667,P=0.000; active caspase-3 mRNA (2-Δ△Ct):1.031 ±0.135,0.578 ± 0.144,0.183 ±0.036,F=66.958,P=0.000; Bax protein (gray scale):1.826 ±0.126,1.254 ±0.140,0.623 ±0.901,F=94.536,P=0.000; Bax mRNA (2-ΔΔCt):2.774 ±0.338,1.661 ±0.226,0.656 ±0.114,F=124.710,P=0.000],all of these values had statistical significance among the three groups (all P＜0.01).While Bcl-2 protein and mRNA had the highest level in curcumin group and lowest level in the sham group [Bcl-2 protein (gray scale):0.716 ±0.091,1.328 ±0.147,1.656 ±0.104,F=84.918,P=0.000; Bcl-2 mRNA (2-△ΔCt):0.617 ±0.118,1.393 ±0.096,1.650 ±0.167,F=83.846,P=0.000].The protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2/Bax ratio were lowest in sepsis group,then sham group,and highest in curcumin group [Bcl-2/Bax protein (gray scale):0.726 ± 0.055,1.150 ± 0.043,1.333 ± 0.163,F=46.265,P=0.000; Bcl-2/Bax mRNA (2-Δ△Ct):0.505 ±0.041,0.944±0.097,1.006 ±0.168,F=12.211,P=0.001].Conclusions MPT can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and further cause hepatocyte apoptosis.Mechanism of effect of curcumin on MPT may be related to reduction of intracellular calcium concentration,promotion of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression,inhibition of caspase-3 activation and Bax gene.

Hypoxia reduces the proliferation and occludin expression of primary sertoli cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the proliferation and occludin expression of primary rat Sertoli</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We constructed a primary Sertoli cell system by two-step enzymatic digestion in 18 -22 days old Wistar rats and identified it by oil red O and immunofluorescence methods. We randomly divided the Sertoli cells into five groups to be cultured in oxygen at the concentrations of 20%, 15%, 10%, 5% and 1%, respectively, for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. We detected the proliferation of the Sertoli cells by CCK-8 assay, determined the expression of occludin by Western blot, and analyzed the differences among the five groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Oil red O staining revealed red lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells, and immunofluorescence showed the positive expression of the FasL protein, with the purity of Sertoli cells over 95% in vitro. Compared with the 20% normoxic group, the proliferation of the Sertoli cells was gradually reduced in the 15% and 10% hypoxia groups, and significantly declined in the 5% and 1% groups (P < 0.01). At 12 hours, the expression of occludin began to decrease with the prolonging of time and reduction of oxygen concentration (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypoxia suppresses the proliferation of Sertoli cells and reduces the expression of occludin. It could be inferred that hypoxia could damage the integrity of blood-testis barrier and spermatogenesis of the testis.</p>

Comparison of 3 microsurgical approaches to the treatment of varicocele: report of 120 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies, inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen analysis among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean operation time was significantly longer in group III ( [55 +/- 6 ] min) than in I ([35 +/- 10] min) and II ([42 +/- 12] min) (P<0.05), while the rate of post-operative complications remarkably higher in group I (4 cases of hydrocele [10% ] and 3 cases of epididymitis [7.5%]) than in II (2 cases of hydrocele [5%] and 2 cases of epididymitis [5%]) and III (1 case of hydrocele [2.5%] and 1 case of epididymitis [2.5%]) (P<0.05). Six to 12 (mean 9) months of follow-up visit found 2 cases (5% ) of recurrence in group I, 1 case (2.5%) in group II and none in group III, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). At 12 months after surgery, group III showed significantly higher sperm concentration, grade a +b sperm and the sperm motility than the other two (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in these parameters among the three groups preoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a microsurgical approach to the treatment of varicocele, LL is better than IHL and RHL of internal spermatic veins in improving the seminal parameters of the patients.</p>

The diagnosis and monitor for fungal keratitis by detection of (1,3-) β-D-glucan in tears / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background The diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis are knotty.There is no quantitative method to identify the disease and judge the therapeutic effect of the antifungal agent.Studies have determined that serum (1,3-) β-D-glucan level can sensitively and specifically reflect the state of systemic mycotic-causing diseases.However,whether (1,3-) β-D-glucan level in tear can monitor and diagnose mycotic keratitis is unclear.Objective Purpose of this study was to investigate the change of tear (1,3-) β-D-glucan level following the administration of antifungal drug in fungal keratitis patients,and evaluate the diagnosis and monitor value of (1,3-) β-D-glucan in tears for fungal keratitis.Methods Sixty patients who were diagnosed as fungal keratitis by fungal culture were analyzed in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College from July 2010 to May 2012.The patients received the topical administration of antifungal drug for 28 days.Thirty healthy volunteers without eye disease served as normal controls.The tear of 50 μl was collected from each subject for the detection of (1,3)-β-D-glucan before the therapy,7,14,28 days after therapy and 7 days,14 days after the drugs were stopped,respectively.The dynamic changes of (1,3-) β-D-glucan levels in tears were evaluated and compared with the manifestation of the lesions under the laser scanning confocal microscope.The patients without hyphal by the laser scanning confocal microscopy and tear (1,3-)β-D-glucan level less than 20 ng/L were subsequently treated for another 7 days,and the following-up duration was 2 months.The informed consent was obtained before any medical examination was performed from each subject.Results (1,3-)β-D-glucan level in tears (Log value) was (6.37 ±0.48)ng/L in the patient group,and was significantly higher than (2.00±0.31) ng/L in the normal control group (t =2.89,P＜0.01).The lesion was smaller with the gradually clear border,and the number of mycelia was decreased under the laser scanning confocal microscope 7 days after treatment.(1,3-) β-D-glucan level in tears was gradually declined in a time-dependent manner after treatment.The (1,3)-β-D-glucan level in tears (Log) was (5.19 ± 0.42),(4.16 ± 0.33),(2.99 ±0.42),(2.91 ±0.39),(2.80±0.40) ng/L 7,14,28 days after treatment,and 7 days,14 days after the drugs were stopped,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in comparison with (6.37±0.48)ng/L before treatment (P＜0.01).(1,3)-β-D-gluean level in tears remained a lower level till the end of follow-up,and no recurrence of lesion was found in the patient group.Conclusions Detecting (1,3)-β-D-glucan level in tears is of good diagnosis and monitor value in the evaluation of fungal keratitis.

Etiological analysis of infection after eye surgery and the investigation of drug sensitivity / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Clinical researches showed that antimicrobial-resistance of bacterium is gradually serious.It is very important to master pathogen distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility after eye surgery.Objective This study was to investigate the distribution and drug sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria from ocular operative infection in 3-year duration to provide a reference for reasonable selection of antibiotics.Methods Sixtyfive positive specimens were obtained from 65 patients due to postoperative infection in Department of Ophthalmology of Shenzhou Hospital and Shengjing Hospital from 2009 January through 2011 December.The pathogenic bacteria were isolated and then the drug sensitivity test of conventional antibiotics was performed.Results Among the 65 ophthalmic specimens,35 strains of Gram-positive bacteria were isolated with the constituent ratio 53.8％,and 15 strains of Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 23.1％.Fungus was found in 15 cases with the constituent ratio 23.1％.Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 42.9％ in Gram-positive bacteria,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 33.3％ in Gram-negative bacteria.Aspergillus was the main component of fungus,which accounted for 60.0％ of the proportion 3 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 8 strains of Staphylococcus aureus,but no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus (VRS) were seen.The in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the main Gram-positive bacteria,Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus,were sensitive to linezolid,vancomycin,levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin with the sensitive rates ＞50.0％,and these bacteria were lowly sensitive to penicillin and erythromycin with the sensitive rates ≤30.0％.Pseudomonas aeruginosa appeared to be the main Gram-negative bacteria,showing a sensitive rate ≥ 80.0％ to tobramycin,amikacin,ceftazidime,cefepime,cefoperazone/sulbactam,piperacillin/tazobactam,imipenem and meropenem.Conclusions Staphylococcus epidermidis,Staphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus are primary pathogens in ocular infection after operation.Antibiotics such as penicillin,erythromycin,levofloxacin,cefotaxime seem to be relatively high resistant to eye infection.To choose sensitive antibiotics timely and reasonably is a key to the prevention and control of ocular infection after operation.

Decreased mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of varicocele patients and their implication / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship of varicocele (VC) with the expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of VC patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the WHO criteria, we examined the semen samples by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and divided the samples into groups A (normal semen from volunteers, n = 20), B (normal semen from VC patients, n = 16) and C (abnormal semen from VC patients, n = 44). We optimized the semen by discontinuous Percoll grade centrifugation, and determined the mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the three groups using using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, the mRNA expressions of alpha1H and alpha1G showed with no significant decrease in group B (P>0.05), but were remarkably reduced in group C (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G may be one of the causes of declined semen quality and consequently infertility in VC patients, which has pointed out a new direction for the studies of the causes and treatment of VC-related infertility.</p>

High temperature reduces the proliferation of and occludin expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the action mechanisms of temperature in male infertility or subfertility by observing the effects of different temperatures on the proliferation of and occludin (OCLN) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We isolated Sertoli cells from the testis of male Wistar rats, and performed oil red O staining and immunohistochemistry to identify their FasL. We cultured the Sertoli cells at 34 degrees C (control group) and at 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 degrees C (experimental groups) for 4 days. Then we measured their proliferation by CCK-8 assay, observed their morphology and structure by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and determined their OCLN expression level by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The purity of the isolated Sertoli cells was (96.20 +/- 1.95)%. CCK-8 assay indicated that the proliferation of the Sertoli cells was increased between 34 and 36 degrees C, and decreased at 36-39 degrees C. The pyknotic nuclei and fragmentation of the Sertoli cells were more obvious at > 36 degrees C. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed the highest level of OCLN expression at 36 degrees C, which, however, decreased while the temperature rose above 36 degrees C (P < 0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High temperature (> 36 degrees C) inhibited the proliferation of rat Sertoli cells in vitro, and decreased the expression of OCLN, which suggests that a higher temperature above 36 degrees C may reduce male fertility by affecting the proliferation of Sertoli cells and integrity of the tight junction among Sertoli cells or Sertoli cells and other cells.</p>

The effects of different surface treatments on the adhesive strength between POPO fiber post and resin cement / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test the effects of different surface treatments on the adhesive strength between POPO fiber post and resin cement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>50 fiber posts were divided into 5 groups at random according to different surface treatments. Group A: Control group, no treatment. Group B: Silanization for 60 s. Group C: Etching for 30 s. Group D: Etching for 60 s. Group E: Etching for 120 s. Crowns of 45 fresh premolars were removed and assigned randomly to 5 test groups. After bonding and embedding the retentive force of the samples were tested by an universal testing machine. The morphology of the post surface was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences among the effects of different surface treatments on the adhesive strength between POPO fiber post and resin cement (P < 0.05). Group D showed the highest adhesivestrength (207.33 +/- 7.58) N. There was significant different between group D and E (P = 0.027), but there was not significant difference between group D and C (P = 0.112). Significant changes of post surface after different treatments were discovered by SEM. Surface roughness and area of fiber exposure increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The adhesive strengths have been enhanced after conducting different surface treatments on the fiber posts.</p>

Effect of varicocelectomy with hyperbaric oxygenation in treating infertile patients with varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effects of combination of varicocelectomy with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in treating infertile patients with varicocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six patients were randomly divided into two groups: 40 patients in group A treated by varicocelectomy with HBO, and 56 in group B treated by solitary varicocelectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sperm density, sperm motility, sperm vigor, normality, serum testosterone, the pregnant rate of patients spouses were improved respectively in both two groups (P <0.01 or P < 0.05), and group A had better results than group B (P < 0.05). LH, FSH in group A decreased significantly after the therapy. Group A had higher sperm penetration asay (SPA) percentages than group B(P < 0.05), and the pregnant time of patient's spouses in group A was earlier than that in group B (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Varicocelectomy with HBO can more effectively regulate reproductive hormone, improve semen quality, SPA index and pregnant rate than solitary varicocelectomy in treating infertile patients with varicocele and can markedly shorten the pregnant time.</p>