[Immunoserology and RHD Genotype Analysis of DVI Type 3 Genotype Pregnant Women with Anti-D].

OBJECTIVE: To performe the immuneserological and RHD Genotype analyses for DVI type 3 genotype pregnemt women with anti-D. METHODS: RhD blood type of this pregnant women was identified by common serological methods, then the blood group specific antibodies was screened and identified; the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP) was used to identify the pregnant women's RHD genotype; RhD blood group for the pregnant women, her spouse and daughter was genogrouped and genetically analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA). The heredity of this family was analyzed finally. RESULTS: The titer of IgG anti-D in the pregnant woman serum was 1:8; the PCR-SSP showed that the 3rd to 6th exons of RHD gene were missing in the pregnant woman. the genotype of pregnant woman was identified as DVI type 3; the MLPA analysis showed that this pregnant women owned only one RHD allele with 3rd to 6th exons missed, and her genotype was identified as CDVIe/cde; her spouse was identified as CDe/CDe homozygous genotype, and her daughter as CDe/CDVIe. CONCLUSION: Accurate identification of RhD blood type is of great significance for a safe and effective clinical blood transfusion strategy, and for taking appropriate measures to prevent hemolytic disease of newborn (HDN) at women childbearing age.

Wnt5a Promotes Cortical Neuron Survival by Inhibiting Cell-Cycle Activation.

ß-Amyloid protein (Aß) is thought to cause neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aß treatment promotes the re-activation of a mitotic cycle and induces rapid apoptotic death of neurons. However, the signaling pathways mediating cell-cycle activation during neuron apoptosis have not been determined. We find that Wnt5a acts as a mediator of cortical neuron survival, and Aß42 promotes cortical neuron apoptosis by downregulating the expression of Wnt5a. Cell-cycle activation is mediated by the reduced inhibitory effect of Wnt5a in Aß42 treated cortical neurons. Furthermore, Wnt5a signals through the non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ pathway to suppress cyclin D1 expression and negatively regulate neuronal cell-cycle activation in a cell-autonomous manner. Together, aberrant downregulation of Wnt5a signaling is a crucial step during Aß42 induced cortical neuron apoptosis and might contribute to AD-related neurodegeneration.

[Short-course kidney-invigorating therapy improves near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of short-course kidney-invigorating therapy on near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney deficiency. METHODS: Based on the differential types in traditional Chinese medicine, 121 asthenozoospermia patients received at our clinic of andrology were divided into groups A (kidney-yin deficiency), B (kidney-yang deficiency) and C (spleen and kidney deficiency), and treated with Yougui Decoction plus Wuziyanzong Pills, Jinkuishenqi Pills plus Wuziyanzong Pills, and Shizi Decoction plus Liujunzi Decoction, respectively, all given once daily for 4 weeks. Sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed with the computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after treatment and compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The baseline sperm concentrations in groups A, B and C ([70.4 +/- 38.6], [73.5 +/- 40.2] and [56.0 +/-34.4] x 10(6)/ml) showed no significant differences from those after medication ([74.4 +/- 32.6], [67.0 +/- 30.8] and [58.6 +/- 24.6] x 10(6)/ml) (P > 0.05). The percentages of grade a sperm in the three groups were (12.9 +/- 5.3)%, (13.7 +/- 7.7)% and (12.9 +/- 6.4)% respectively after treatment, significantly higher than (9.9 +/- 6.7)%, (9.3 +/- 5.4)% and (9.0 +/- 6.8)% before treatment (P < 0.05), and so were the percentages of grade a + b sperm ([37.4 +/- 10.2 ]%, [35.7 +/- 13.7]% and [35.9 +/- 12.3]% after treatment versus [29.6 +/- 13.2]%, [27.5 +/- 10.4]% and [28.3 +/- 12.1]% before treatment, P < 0.05). All the three groups showed significantly increased sperm motility after treatment ([53.8 +/- 10.5]%, [52.6 +/- 15.2]% and [51.1 +/- 13.1]%) as compared with the baseline levels ([44.3 +/- 14.0]%, [43.5 +/- 15.0]% and [42.4 +/- 14.9]%) (P < 0.05). The cure rate and total effectiveness rate were significantly higher in group B than in A (P < 0.05), but had no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-course kidney-invigorating therapy can significantly improve near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney asthenia, especially in those with kidney-yang deficiency, and it has no obvious adverse effects.

[Rosuvastatin improves myocardial function and arteriosclerosis plaque in patients with ST-segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on the functions of the surviving myocardium and arteriosclerosis plaque in patients with ST-segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Sixty-five STEMI patients were randomized to receive 40 mg simvastatin (n=32) or 10 mg rosuvastatin (n=33) before sleep in addition to conventional medications. Before PCI and after the 12-month medications, the plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured, and echocardiography and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed to assess the therapeutic effects. RESULTS: At the end of 12 months, the patients in simvastatin group showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, CRP, TNF-α, and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI uptake fraction. In rosuvastatin group, these reductions were even more obvious; the intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was reduced significantly after a 12-month rosuvastatin therapy, but almost remained unchanged after simvastatin therapy. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin therapy in addition to conventional medications can significantly reduce IMT and improve the functions of the surviving myocardium in patients with STEMI after PCI.