Expression of TPX2 in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and its clinical significance / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To analyze the expression of targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and its clinical significance.Methods:The postoperative tissue samples of 54 patients with KIRC admitted to the Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from July 2017 to June 2019 were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of TPX2 in renal carcinoma and paracancerous tissues. The difference of TPX2 mRNA expression between KIRC tissues and normal tissues was analyzed by using the TIMER database, which verified the immunohistochemical results. The UALCAN database and the Kaplan-Meier plotter database were used to analyze the relationship between TPX2 mRNA expression and clinical stage, molecular subtypes, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis of patients with KIRC. The protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database to obtain TPX2-related proteins, and the genes corresponding to the related proteins were enriched for the KEGG pathway. The relationship between TPX2 expression and immune cell infiltration and the immune checkpoint was studied by using the TIMER database.Results:Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive expression rate of TPX2 protein was 48.15% (26/54) in cancer tissues, which was higher than that in paracancerous tissues (20.37%, 11/54) ( χ2=9.25, P=0.002). The results of bioinformatics analysis showed that TPX2 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in KIRC [cancer tissue: 1.89 (1.49, 2.42), normal tissue: 0.35 (0.24, 0.57), U=2 297.00, P<0.001]. The expression of TPX2 mRNA was related to the clinical stage ( χ2=34.36, P<0.001), molecular subtypes ( χ2=30.15, P<0.001), and lymph node metastasis status ( χ2=27.21, P<0.001) of KIRC patients. The 5-year survival rate (53.80%) in patients with high TPX2 expression was lower than that in patients with low TPX2 expression (74.40%, χ2=18.87, P<0.001). STRING database protein interaction network construction obtained 20 TPX2-related proteins, and the genes corresponding to the related proteins were enriched in the cell cycle. The expression of TPX2 was positively correlated with B cells ( r=0.30, P<0.001), CD8 + T cells ( r=0.23, P<0.001), CD4 + T cells ( r=0.18, P<0.001), macrophages ( r=0.20, P<0.001), neutrophils ( r=0.31, P<0.001), dendritic cells ( r=0.39, P<0.001) infiltration and most of its biomarkers (all P<0.05). It was positively correlated with immune checkpoint PD-1 ( r=0.31, P<0.001) and CTLA-4 ( r=0.27, P<0.001), but not correlated with PD-L1 ( r=0.07, P=0.146) . Conclusion:TPX2 is highly expressed in KIRC and is closely associated with poor prognosis. It is expected to be a new therapeutic target for KIRC.

Multiple primary malignancies of the bladder, rectum and kidney: a case report / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) are two or more primary malignancies diagnosed in the same patient at the same time or at a specific time and do not represent progression, recurrence or metastasis of the first tumor.MPMs are extremely rare. In this paper, we reported a case of male patient who was diagnosed with invasive uroepithelial carcinoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder, and open partial cystectomy, laparoscopic radical operation for rectal cancer, laparoscopic partial left nephrectomy, transurethral resection of bladder tumor and laparoscopic radical cystectomy with ureterostomy were performed, respectively.The patient was followed up for 16 months after the last surgery, with good general condition and no recurrence or metastasis.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling of the antitumor action of bispecific CD3/EpCAM antibody M701 in human colorectal cancer xenograft mice / 药学学报

M701 is a bispecific CD3/EpCAM T-cell engager antibody for the treatment of malignant ascites. We developed a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model to quantitatively describe and predict the antitumor effect of M701 in human colorectal cancer xenograft mice. We developed the M701 PK model based on plasma concentration data after i.v. administration. A tumor growth model for human colorectal cancer xenograft was developed to evaluate the antitumor effect of M701. We additionally simulated the inhibitory effect of M701 on tumor volume under different dose regimens based on a PK/PD model. A two-compartment model was developed to predict the PK in human colorectal cancer xenograft mice. The relationship between the M701 concentration and tumor growth inhibition was characterized by a combined Simeoni tumor growth/transit compartment model. The estimated pharmacodynamic parameters were related to the tumor growth characteristics λ0 (0.212 d-1) and λ1 (0.044 7 cm3·d-1), to the drug potency k2 (0.071 5 mL·ng-1·d-1), and to the kinetics of tumor cell death k1 (2×10-5 d-1). A model visual predictive check showed that both the PK model and the tumor growth model closely fit the observed data. Simulated tumor growth after administration of M701 (0.5 mg·kg-1 every 6 days and 0.25 mg·kg-1 every 3 days) could be effectively inhibited. This population PK/PD model of M701 provides insight into the antitumor effect of M701 and supports the further therapeutic development of M701.

Rauwolfia vomitoria extract suppresses benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing expression of androgen receptor and 5α-reductase in a rat model / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Herbal medicine is an important therapeutic option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disease in older men that can seriously affect their quality of life. Currently, it is crucial to develop agents with strong efficacy and few side effects. Herein we investigated the effects of the extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, a shrub grown in West Africa, on BPH.@*METHODS@#Rats with testosterone-induced BPH were treated with R. vomitoria. Prostates were histologically analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Proliferation index and the expression levels of androgen receptor and its associated proteins were quantified through immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Androgen receptor target genes were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The sperm count and body weight of rats were also measured.@*RESULTS@#The oral administration of R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the prostate weight and prostate weight index in BPH rats, supported by the decreased thickness of the prostate epithelial layer and increased lumen size. Similar effects were observed in the BPH rats treated with the reference drug, finasteride. R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the testosterone-induced proliferation markers, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, in the prostate glands of BPH rats; it also reduced levels of androgen receptor, its associated protein steroid 5α-reductase 1 and its downstream target genes (FK506-binding protein 5 and matrix metalloproteinase 2). Notably, compared with the finasteride group, R. vomitoria extract did not significantly reduce sperm count.@*CONCLUSION@#R. vomitoria suppresses testosterone-induced BPH development. Due to its milder side effects, R. vomitoria could be a promising therapeutic agent for BPH.

Identification of bear bile powder and its adulterants by using DNA barcoding technology / 中国中药杂志

To identify the precious bile powder and its adulterants by DNA barcoding, and establish its standard experimental process to ensure the safe and effective utilization. Total twelve sequences from samples of bear bile powder which come from Ursus thibetanus for DNA extraction, PCR(polymerase chain reaction) and sequence, then using CodonCode Aligner V 7.0.1 shear primer region to obtain COI sequence. The COI sequences of U. arctos and their adulterants were obtained from GenBank. MEGA7.0 software was applied for analyzing mutation, calculating intraspecific and interspecific K2P(Kimura 2-Parameter) genetic distance and constructing the Neighbor-joining tree(NJ). The results showed that the maximum K2P genetic distance of bear bile powder of U. thibetanus and U. arctos are far less than minimum K2P genetic distance within its adulterants species, and the results of NJ tree demonstrated that each species could be distinguished from the counterfeits obviously. DNA barcoding is a safe, convenient and reliable technique for species identification, and it is important to establish the standard sequence of COI sequences for animal medicines.

Primary exploration of key influential factors recognization method of Tanreqing injection / 中国中药杂志

To recognize the key influential factors during the liquid preparation process of Tanreqing injection, the near infrared(NIR) spectra of the raw materials and the operating parameters of 24 batches of physical manufacturing were recorded as independent variables, and the total soluble solids contents and the light inspection acceptance rate of the final products were collected as dependent variables. The calibration models were developed using the partial least-square regression (PLSR) method, and the correlation coefficients between the independent variables and the dependent variables were calculated. For the quantitative models, the correlation coefficients for the calibration and inner cross validation of total soluble solids contents and the light inspection acceptance rate reached 0.911 9, 0.724 2 and 0.873 8, 0.795 9, respectively. Using the correlation coefficients diagrams, several key influence factors were preliminarily determined, and the physical significance were analyzed combined with production experience. This work demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy with PLSR algorithm could be used for the key influential factors recognization during the liquid preparation process of Tanreqing injection and can be popularized to solve similar problems..

Microbubbles targeted to P-selectin for evaluating testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of evaluating complete ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of the testis by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with microbubbles (MB) targeted to P-selectin (MBp) in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 30 healthy adult rabbits into five groups of equal number (control, 0.5 h IRI, 1 h IRI, 2 h IRI, and 4 h IRI), prepared phospholipid MB and MBp, and performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the bilateral testes with MB or MBp at an interval of 20 min at different times after IRI. When MB or MBp disappeared completely in the healthy testis at 4 to 5 min after intravenous injection, we recorded the power of the first frame (F-P) in the IRI testes followed by immunohistochemical staining of the testis tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CEU with MBp achieved a significantly higher F-P than that with MB in all the IRI groups (P < 0.05), which was (8.34 +/- 1.20) versus (1.87 +/- 0.25) 10(-5) AU at 2 hours, but there was no significant difference between MB and MBp in the control rabbits (0 AU, P > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed a significantly time-dependent increase in the expression of P-selectin in the vascular endothelial cells of the IRI testes, but not in those of the control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with MBp can be used to evaluate the inflammatory reaction of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p>

Technological parameter optimization method for washing of coarse bear gall powder extracts based on NIR spectroscopy / 中国中药杂志

During the washing process of coarse bear gall powder extracts, it is necessary to adjust the amount of ethyl acetate according to the properties of raw materials, which aims to improving the yield and purity of the final product. In the research, using NIR spectra to reflect the comprehensive properties of coarse bear gall powder extracts, the process is optimized in a flexible way. Forty batches experiments are designed according to the weight ratio of ethyl acetate and coarse extracts of bear gall powder. The NIR spectra of the coarse extracts of bear gall powder are collected and processed using principal component analysis (PCA) method. The first 8 principal components combined with the amount of the ethyl acetate are used as the input variables, and calibration models are established to predict the yield and purity of the final product 30 batches are used as calibration set, which is used to establish the models, and other 10 batches are used as validation set, which is used for the performance appraisal of the established models. The correlation coefficients of the calibration, inner cross-validation and external validation for the purity model are 0.902, 0.896 and 0.883, respectively, and the RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP are 1.22%, 1.48% and 1.59%, respectively. The correlation coefficients of the calibration, inner cross-validation and external validation for the yield model are 0.921, 0.859 and 0.916, respectively, and the RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP are 1.39%, 1.65% and 1.53% respectively. This work demonstrated that NIR spectra combined with technology parameter could be used to predict the yield and purity of the final product. Using the established models, the most appropriate amount of the ethyl acetate can be determined according to the properties of the coarse bear gall powder extracts, and the yield and purity of the final product can be improved.

Screening and identification of multiple components in Tanreqing injection using RP-HPLC combined with DAD and ESI-TOF/MS / 中国天然药物

A liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF/MS) method was developed for the screening and identification of the multiple components in Tanreqing injection, a well-known Chinese medicine injection in China. By combining the DAD spectrum and the accurate mass measurement of ESI-TOF/MS, twelve components in Tanreqing injection were identified. This study contributes to clarifying the nature of Tanreqing injection, and provides an effective and reliable process for the comprehensive and systematic characterization of complex traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

NIRS-based total quality control system construction of Tanreqing injection and relative thinking / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, NIRS (near infrared spectroscopy)-based total quality control system for the Tanreqing injection was introduced briefly. By analyzing and summing up the significance and difficulties, several important problems of the practical applications which need urgent solutions are proposed. And also the applicationprospect of NIRS is fully discussed and put forward in the end.

Effect of interstitial chemotherapy with ricin temperature-responsive gel for anti-breast cancer and immune regulation in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of ricin temperature response gel on breast cancer and its regulatory effect on immune function in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ricin was purified by chromatography and identified by immunoblotting. The rat subcutaneously transplanted breast cancer model was established. Forty model rats with a tumor diameter of about 3.0 cm were subjected to the study. They were randomized into four groups equally: the model group and three treated groups (blank gel, ricin, ricin-gel) were administered with blank gel, ricin, and ricin temperature response gel via percutaneous intratumor injection, respectively. The tumor was isolated 10 days later for the estimation of tumor inhibition rate (TIR) by weighing, pathologic examination, and detection of tumor apoptosis-associated genes bcl-2 and bax with semiquantitative RT-PCR. Also, peripheral blood was obtained to test T-lymphocyte subsets, the killing function of lymphocytes, and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The outcomes were compared between groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TIR in the ricin-gel group was 61.8%, with the pathologic examination showing extensive tumor tissue necrosis. Compared with the model group, after ricin temperature response gel treatment, bcl-2 expression was down-regulated, bax expression was up-regulated, CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood were increased, the killing function of lymphocytes was enhanced, and the contents of TNF-α and IL-2 were elevated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intratumor injection of ricin temperature-responsive gel showed significant antitumor effect on breast cancer and could enhance the immune function in the tumor-bearing rat.</p>

Quality control of Lonicerae japonicae flos with standard reference extract / 中国中药杂志

The high price of the reference substances is an obstacle for the HPLC analysis of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. To solve this problem, a new method based on the standard reference extract (SRE) was proposed. In this study, the extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos was calibrated, and the long-term stability was investigated. Different concentration solutions of SRE were prepared for establishment of the calibration profiles, and 6 organic acids were determined. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results via reference substances and SRE, and the results demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The presented method can be used for the quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, and will also offer reference to resolve similar problems.

Manipulation and comprehensive application of reinforcing-reducing methods according to numbers and directions of rotation / 中国针灸

To trace to the source of the needling technique called "dragon and tiger warring" so as to bring its immediate effect of pain relieving into full play. Taking contents of Huangdi Neijiig (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic), Nanjing (Classic of Questioning) and analyses of various schools in Zhenjiu Dacheng (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) as references, thoughts of "principles of yin-yang inter-transformation", "yin-yang numbers of six and nine" as well as "the mysterious principles of reinforcing-reducing" in "dragon and tiger warring" technique are further studied. "Dragon and tiger warring" technique combined with "twirling reinforcing and reducing method according to clockwise or anticlockwise direction", "qi lifting method" and "theory of nine and six circles" can communicate the meridian qi exteriorly, interiorly, upper and lower. Taking professor ZHANG Jin's experiences on clinical application of "reinforcing and reducing according to number six and nine circles of rotation", the cores of reducing and reinforcing methods of "dragon and tiger warring", "back and forth method" as well as "qi lifting method" are applied comprehensively, so as to bring the immediate pain relieving effect of "dragon and tiger warring" technique into full play.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and the impact of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the EMMPRIN expression in macrophages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The EMMPRIN expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 11 unstable plaques from patients with ACS. Protein expression of EMMPRIN was evaluated by Western blot on macrophages differentiated from THP-1 which were stimulated with LTB4 in the absence or presence of LTB4 antagonist U75302. There are 8 study groups: 1-THP-1, 2-8-the macrophages derived from THP-1, 2-6-macrophages were stimulated by LTB4 (0, 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) and 10(-7) mol/L) for 24 h, 7-8-the macrophages were pretreated by 10(-6) mol/L or 10(-7) mol/L U75302 2 h before the LTB4 (10(-7) mol/L) stimulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Abundant EMMPRIN expression was detected in macrophages and smooth muscle cells of unstable plaques from ACS patients. As to the THP-1 derived macrophages, EMMPRIN expression was significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in LTB4 stimulated groups, which was significantly higher in group 3-6 than in the THP-1 group (group 1) and macrophages group (group 2) (all P < 0.05) and pretreatment with U75302 significantly reduced the LTB4 induced upregulation of EMMPRIN in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EMMPRIN expression is enhanced in macrophages and smooth muscle cells on unstable coronary artery plaques from ACS patients. LTB4 could stimulate EMMPRIN expression on THP-1 derived macrophages suggesting that LTB4 and EMMPRIN might be both involved in the formation and progression of unstable plaques, future studies are warranted to explore if LTB4 and EMMPRIN antagonists are effective or not for treating patients with ACS.</p>

Screening and mutation of a marine Bacillus megaterium to resolute 3-chloro-1, 2-epoxypropane / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To obtain and mutate a marine Bacillus megaterium to resolute pharmaceutical intermediate, 3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane. METHODS: From marine sediment, a 3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane-resolute strain was isolated and mutated by ultraviolet rays and N+ ion. RESULTS: The strain was identified as Bacillus megaterium on the basis of biophysical and biochemical test. The optimum salinity for growth was 2%, and the result of optimum salinity showed that the microbe was a typical marine microorganism. A positive mutant exhibited excellent resolution with ee value of 99% and yield of 42%. CONCLUSION: The marine bacillus megaterium shows a large potential for industrial production.

A new method for simultaneous assay of six organic acids in Lonicerae Japonicae Flos / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The contents of chlorogenic acid(CA) and caffeic acid(CfA) were determined, and the relative correction factors(RCF) of other organic acids were calculated, which were used for the indirect determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The RCFs for the neochlorogenic acid(NCA), 3, 4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid(3, 4-DCA), 3, 5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid(3, 5-DCA), and 4, 5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid(4, 5-DCA) were 5.462, 5.689, 2.313, 2.382(to CA) and 3.941, 4.103, 1.669, 1.718(to CfA), respectively. The established method was validated in different laboratories with different high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) instruments and different chromatographic columns; the result indicated that the reproducibility was satisfactory. There was no significant difference between the established QAMS method and external reference method (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established QAMS method can be used for simultaneous determination of 6 organic acids as quality control of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos with easy available standard substances.</p>

Impact of unilateral acute testicular ischemia on the contralateral testis of rabbits in anesthetic and conscious states / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impact of unilateral acute testicular ischemia on the hemodynamics and histology of the contralateral testis of the rabbits under consistent anesthesia with that of the rabbits in the conscious state.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two healthy male white rabbits were randomly divided into an anesthetic group (Group A) to receive injection of sodium pentobarbital (PS) and a non-anesthetic group (Group B), each including a control group of 5 animals (A0 and B0), an incomplete testicular ischemia group of 8 (A1 and B1), and a complete testicular ischemia group of 8 (A2 and B2). Testicular ischemia models were constructed by color Doppler ultrasonography. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was used to observe the perfusion of the contralateral testes before and after ligating and loosening the unilateral spermatic cord in each experimental group. The control animals also underwent CEUS and measurement of the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) at the corresponding time. Histological structure changes in the contralateral testes of the rabbits were observed in both anesthetic and conscious states.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PS anesthesia markedly suppressed the HR and BP of the rabbits. The parameters in Groups of A0, A1 and A2 showed no statistically significant changes after unilateral ligation of the spermatic cord, while Groups B1 and B2 displayed significantly decreased peak-base difference (PBD) and prolonged arrival time (AT) and half time of descending peak intensity (HT). Groups A1, B1 and B2 showed significantly increased PBD and prolonged HT shortly after loosening the spermatic cord. Focal pathological and ultrastructural changes were observed in the contralateral testes of the ischemic rabbits, but no significant difference was found in Johnson's score in comparison with the controls. The apoptotic cells were remarkably increased in Groups A1, B1 and B2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acute testicular ischemia may induce injury to the contralateral testis to some degree, and a reflexive sympathetic response may cause hemodynamic changes in the non-anesthetic state. And the neural and vascular inhibitory effects of anesthesia could make insignificant changes of blood perfusion in the contralateral testis.</p>

Ischemic postconditioning reduces testis ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning (IP) against different degrees of testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two white male rabbits were equally randomized into 7 groups: a control, 3 IR (R1, R2 and R3), and 3 IP (P1, P2 and P3) groups. Testicular models of different degrees of ischemia were established in the IR and IP groups. Before reperfusion, ultrasonography showed homogeneous echoes with slightly decreased blood flow in R1 and P1, heterogeneous echoes with obviously decreased blood flow in R2 and P2, lamellar or fragmental low echo areas absent of blood flow signals in R3 and P3. Then the IR groups were directly subjected to perfusion, and the IP groups to 3 episodes of 30-second reperfusion followed by 30-second ischemia. All the groups underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before reperfusion and, after 3 days, examined for the contents of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and histology, and observed for the pathological changes of the testicular tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before reperfusion, no significant differences were found in the CEUS parameters beta, time-to- peak (TTP), peak-base intensity (PBD) and half of declining time (DT/2) between R1 and P1, R2 and P2, and R3 and P3 (P>0.05). There were remarkable differences in MDA and SOD between R1 and P1, and R2 and P2 (P<0.05), but not between R3 and P3 (P >0.05). Johnson's score, apoptosis index and ultrastructure showed marked differences between R1 and P1 (P<0.05) but not between R2 and P2, and R3 and P3 (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IP can attenuate IR-induced testis injury, but the effect varies with the degree of ischemia, and its pathological manifestation differs from the biochemical one.</p>

Ultrasonographic appearance of experimental testicular ischemia and protective effect of allopurinol / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation of the ultrasonographic appearance of different degrees of experimentally induced acute unilateral testicular ischemia with the protective effect of allopurinol.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two male white rabbits were equally randomized into 7 groups: sham-operation control, ischemic A, B and C, and treatment D, E and F. Models of different degrees of unilateral testicular ischemia were established in the ischemic and treatment groups under the dynamic observation by color Doppler ultrasound. The ischemic testes showed slightly decreased homogeneous echoes and flow signals in groups A and D, obviously decreased heterogeneous echoes and flow signals in groups B and E, and radial or fragmental low-echo areas and disappearance of flow signals in groups C and F. The ischemic groups received reperfusion after the appearance of the above ultrasonographic changes, while the treatment groups following the intraperitoneal injection of allopurinol at 200 mg/kg. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed on the bilateral testes before and 3 days after the reperfusion. After 3 days of breeding, the histological changes and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the ischemic testes were observed, and the correlation was analyzed between the protective effect of allopurinol and the ultrasonographic appearance of different degrees of acute unilateral testicular ischemia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CEUS showed fast wash-in and fast wash-out in the sham-operation control group, slow wash-in and slow wash-out in groups A and B and extensive central filling defect in group C before the reperfusion. Fast wash-in and slow wash-out were observed in all the ischemic groups 3 days after the reperfusion, most obviously in group C. Groups D, E and F exhibited the same CEUS appearance as A, B and C before and 3 days after the reperfusion. Johnsen's scores were significantly increased in groups D (9.10 +/- 0.23) and E (7.03 +/- 0.20) in comparison with A (8.53 +/- 0.22) and B (5.82 +/- 0.33) (P < 0.05), but with no significant differences between C (2.30 +/- 0.53) and F (2.45 +/- 0.33) (P > 0.05). The rates of apoptosis were significantly decreased in groups D ([1.68 +/- 0.43]%) and E ([12.53 +/- 0.59]%) compared with A ([7.12 +/- 0.84]%) and B ([20.87 +/- 1.59]%) (P < 0.05), but with no significant differences between C ([52.93 +/- 2.62 ]%) and F ([51.23 +/- 2.53 ]%) (P > 0.05). Significant decreases of MDA contents in the ischemic testes were observed in groups D ([0.64 +/- 0.05] nmol/mg prot), E ([1.59 +/- 0.06] nmol/mg prot) and F ([3.10 +/- 0.17] nmol/mg prot) in comparison with A ([1.38 +/- 0.07] nmol/mg prot), B ([2.11 +/- 0.08] nmol/mg prot) and C ([3.25 +/- 0.14] nmol/mg prot) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Allopurinol contributes to the recovery of spermatogenesis when testicular ischemia is sonographically shown to be mild or moderate, but produces no significant effect when it is shown to be severe. Ultrasonography helps to choose the right therapy of testicular torsion and predict spermatogenesis of ischemic testes after reperfusion.</p>

Diagnostic value of transrectal ultrasound in detecting rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with head scanning probe / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To explore the methods and clinical value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in detecting rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) with head scanning probe.Methods A total of 12 patients had the ultrasonic examination through the rectum with the head scanning probe.Preoperative ultrasonic findings were compared with the pathological results.Results Of the 12 patients,the patients were divided into three groups,including 3 cases with low-degree severity,6 cases with moderate-degree severity and 6 cases with high-degree severity.The lymph node metastasis was not found near intestines.Rectal GIST appeared as a hypoechoic mass with clear limit、regular form and expanded growth under TRUS.The CDFI showed abundant flow in the tumor and TRUS had an overall accuracy rate of 75.0%(9/12)in the diagnosis of rectal GIST.The accuracy of TRUS in the staging diagnosis of rectal GIST was 83.3%(10/12).Conclusion The TRUS with the head scanning probe is of great value for pre-operative diagnosis and staging of rectal GIST.Rectal water window and felicitous check-up technique can enhance the accuracy of TRUS.