Development of reproductive motivation scale for infertile women and its reliability and validity / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To preliminarily develop a fertility motivation scale for infertile women (FMS-IW) and test its reliability and validity.Methods:The FMS-IW was developed according to the theory of self-determination and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and the original item pool was established through clinical psychological counseling practice experience, literature review, consulting clinical psychotherapists, interviewing with infertile women and open-ended questionnaires. The original scale was constructed on item analysis and exploratory factor analysis in 257 infertile women. The formal version of FMS-IW was further adapted by Delphi method and tested in another 392 women to conduct confirmatory factor analysis and reliability test. Furthermore, 56 participants of 392 women were randomly retested with FMS-IW after two weeks.SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0 software were used for Spearman analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results:Exploratory factor analysis showed that the FMS-IW was composed of 16 items consisting of two factors: autonomous fertility motivation and controlled fertility motivation. The cumulative variance contribution rate was 64.18%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well ( χ2/ df=3.292, RMSEA=0.077, SRMR=0.055, GFI=0.902, AGFI=0.871, IFI=0.938, CFI=0.938, TLI=0.928). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the FMS-IW was 0.908. The Cronbach's α coefficient for autonomous and controlled fertility motivation was 0.911 and 0.928, respectively. The parity split-half coefficient of the formal version of FMS-IW was 0.870. The test-retest reliability of the formal version of FMS-IW was 0.823. Conclusion:The FMS-IW has good reliability and validity, and can be used as an effective tool to measure fertility motivation in infertile women.

c­Jun N­terminal kinase inhibition attenuates early brain injury induced neuronal apoptosis via decreasing p53 phosphorylation and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats.

Early brain injury (EBI)­induced neuronal apoptosis is primarily responsible for the subsequent complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), which may increase the risk of mortality in patients with aSAH. c­Jun N­terminal kinase (JNK) has been demonstrated to be a promoter of EBI­induced cell apoptosis, although the mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to explore whether the role of JNK1 is associated with tumor protein p53 (p53), which is one of the most important factor that triggers cell apoptosis. JNK1 expression was downregulated via in vivo small interfering RNA transfection in an aSAH rat model in order to assess differences in the behavior, survival times, morphology and genetics of the experimental animals. The results revealed that JNK1 inhibition improved the neurological scores and survival times of SAH rats by interrupting cascaded neuronal apoptosis. The interruption of EBI­induced neuronal apoptosis may originate from a decrease in the level of p53 phosphorylation and deactivation of the downstream mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that JNK1 may be a promising target for improving the prognosis of patients with aSAH.

Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab on refractory systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis:observation on 16 cases / 中国实用儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab against refractory systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis(SoJIA). METHODS: A prospective follow-up study of 16 patients with refractory active SoJIA patients with or with tocilizumab after treatment of clinical disease activity indicators and safety. The ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After 2 weeks,12 weeks and 52 weeks of treatment,the levels of white blood cells,erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hypersensitive C-reactive protein were significantly decreased,and there were statistically significant differences(F=26.25、145.70、517.96,P<0.05). JADAS27 was significantly decreased after 2 weeks,12 weeks and 52 weeks of treatment with tocilizumab(the score being 23.09±3.46,8.19±2.63,4.25±2.86 and 2.63±1.54),the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05). Some children had adverse reactions,2 cases of skin abnormalities,1 case of white pityriasis,1 case of skin infection;3 cases of liver enzyme abnormalities;2 cases of leukopenia. CONCLUSION: Tocilizumab can improve the condition of children with SoJIA in rapid and obvious way,and medium and longterm security and tolerance was good. The duration of tocilizumab therapy should be carefully assessed.

Effects of different temperature stress on cell membrane permeability,active oxygen metabolism and accumulation of effective substances in Lonicera japonicea / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to explore the effects of stress at different temperatures( 35,45,55 ℃) on membrane permeability,active oxygen metabolism and accumulation of effective substances in Lonicera japonica,and provide theoretical basis for reducing deterioration and revealing browning mechanism during postharvest processing of L. japonica. The cell membrane permeability( relative conductivity,MDA content),active oxygen metabolism( SOD,POD,PPO,CAT activity) and the accumulation of effective substances( chlorogenic acid,luteolin,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid,3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) of L. japonica were all studied by constant temperature drying method,and the results were analyzed by the SPSS 17. 0 statistical software. The results showed that MDA content in L. japonica was increased by 151. 14% at 35 ℃,SOD,POD,PPO and CAT activity were 29. 73%,42. 86%,105. 02% and 10. 74% higher than at 45 ℃,respectively. The order of effective substance content in L. japonica was 35 ℃ >45 ℃ >55 ℃. The changes of membrane permeability,activity of active oxygen metabolizing enzyme and accumulation of active components were significantly affected by different temperature stress. The indexes showed that physiological and active oxygen metabolizing enzyme activity of L. japonica was the highest under 35 ℃ stress,chlorogenic acid and luteolin were effectively accumulated,which provides basic data for solving browning problem in the postharvest processing of L. japonica.

Expression of MicroRNA-15a in Children with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia and Its Significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the expression of MicroRNA-15a (miR-15a) in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The peripheral blood monomuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated and cultured from ITP patients and healthy volunteers. The expression level of miR-15a was measured by real-time PCR. After miR-15a mimic was transfected into PBMNC, the levels of INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of miR-15a was significantly decreased in PBMNC. The production of IFN-γ and IL-2 was dramatically increased, and the level of IL-4, IL-10 was decreased in PBMNC. Moreover, the expression of miR-15a was negatively correlated with IFN-γ and IL-2, and positively with IL-4 and IL-10. Furthermore, the results showed that the overexpression of miR-15a could decrease the production of IFN-γ and IL-2, and increase the production of IL-4 and IL-10.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-15a is significantly down-regulated in PBMNC of children with primary ITP and involved in the regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance. It is suggested that miR-15a may be a potential therapeutic target for ITP.</p>

Research on periodical changes and metabolism relations of active components in Lonicera japonica leaves / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to explore the metabolism rule of Lonicera japonica by investigating the primary and secondary metabolism process in different growth periods. HPLC and other methods were used to measure metabolism indexes of leaves collected in last ten days of every month. The results suggested that the maximum (78.59%) and minimum (60.83%) of water content were found in March and December. The content of total sugar reached a high level from December to February and the maximum (275.8 mg•g⁻¹) appeared in October, while it reduced significantly at other time. The change of chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, galuteolin, caffeic acid were basically consistent and the highest content of them synchronously appeared (42.79, 2.01, 7.13, 0.16 mg•g⁻¹) in March. The content of primary and secondary metabolite in L. japonica leaves reached a high level from March to May, and the main related elements with effective components were K, Mg, P, aspartate, threonine, proline, valine, cysteine, isoleucine and phenylalanine.

Further promotion effect of variable temperature drying on effective components in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba / 中国中药杂志

To study the effects of different variable temperature drying modes on active components of roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba, and provide basis for its industrialized drying process. In order to ensure the content of active components, variable temperature drying modes were designed: low temperature at 30 ℃ and high temperature at 60 ℃, low temperature at 30 ℃ and high temperature at 70 ℃, low temperature at 30 ℃ and high temperature at 80 ℃, low temperature at 40 ℃ and high temperature at 60 ℃, low temperature at 40 ℃ and high temperature at 70 ℃, low temperature at 40 ℃ and high temperature at 80 ℃ and air dry oven was used for variable temperature drying process. Then HPLC method was used to determine the changes of active components in roots of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba under different temperature modes; and SPSS 17.0 was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the samples, which were first dried at 40 ℃ for six hours and then dried at 80 ℃ for three hours, had the highest contents in dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone Ⅰ and tanshinone ⅡA as compared with other kinds of drying methods, and the contents were 0.35, 2.76, 0.78, 4.47 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. Additionally, as compared with samples dried in the shade, the contents of dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone and tanshinone Ⅰ were increased 2.9% (P>0.05), 45.3% (P<0.05) and 34.5% (P<0.05), respectively; however, the content of tanshinone ⅡA was decreased by 44.1% (P<0.05). The water-soluble active components (rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B) of roots of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba, had the highest contents when the samples were first dried at 30 ℃ for six hours and then 70 ℃ for three hours, and the contents were 3.83,55.44 mg•g⁻¹, increased by 62.3% (P<0.05) and 109.1% (P<0.05) respectively as compared with the samples dried in the shade. Variable temperature drying can significantly affect the contents of active components in roots of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba. As compared with the traditional process of shade-drying process, low temperature drying can significantly increase the content of water-soluble active components and also with significant promotion effect on the liposoluble components such as tanshinone ⅡA, cryptotanshinone and tanshinone Ⅰ. The variable temperature drying mode, can effectively shorten the process of drying and provide theoretical basis for industrial processing of roots of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba.

Intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of 60 cases of intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage. Methods 60 patients with intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage in Wuzhong people's hospital from October 2013 to March 2017 were selected and were divided into reference group and study group by random sampling method, with 30 cases in each group. The reference group was treated with ceftriaxone treatment, the study group was treated with intrathecal ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. The therapeutic effect and adverse reaction rate of the two groups were evaluated. Results The total effective rate of the patients in the study group (96.67%) was significantly higher than that in the reference group (73.33 %), and the adverse reaction rate (3.33%) was significantly lower than that of the reference group (26.66%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in patients with intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage, the treatment effect is obvious, and the incidence of adverse reactions is low, which is worthy of clinical study.

Progress of transcription factor E3 fusion genes related tumors / 肿瘤研究与临床

Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) located in the X chromosome 11.2 plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation and transcription regulation. In the condition of pathology, the TFE3 gene translocates to form fusion genes, which makes the expression of TFE3 protein abnormally high, and affects the transcriptional regulation of cells and promotes the tumor formation. This article reviews the clinicopathological features of several TFE3 fusion genes related tumors,in order to improve the recognition of this disease.

Applications and effect evaluations of continued nursing care in functional rehabilitation after limbs intra-articular fracture operation / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the influences of continued nursing care on the recovery of intra-articular fractures of joint function of limbs and the quality of life after operation. Methods A total of 493 intra-articular fracture of limbs postoperative patients,who were discharged from our department from January 2015 to December 2016,were randomly divided into observation group and reference group.After operation,the reference group used self-management mode to practice joint functional exercise,while the observation group uses continued nursing mode to guide physical therapy to recover joint functions.After they discharged 12 weeks,we compared these two groups of patients with satisfaction of nursing care,joint function recovery and quality of life. Results After 12 weeks of operation, in observation group, the patients' joint function recovery rate was close to 79.27%(195/246), which was significantly higher than the rates 55.47%(137/247)in reference group,the difference was statistically significant(χ2=32.947,P<0.01). Respectively, the physiological function score,vigor score, mental health score, physiology role score, body pain score, health condition score, social function score and health score of the observation group in the quality of life assessment were (72.66 ± 4.41), (89.27 ± 4.10), (93.01 ± 3.05), (88.03 ± 3.19), (91.68±3.99),(76.78±4.86),(79.11±4.68),(85.57±7.07).The scores of control groups were(65.71±3.41),(64.02±4.51),(61.43±4.29),(66.49±4.52),(64.24±4.30),(62.02±6.24),(62.94±4.50),(65.02±7.72).The comparative difference of the two groups has statistical significance (t=12.48- 60.15, P<0.05). Meanwhile,in the satisfaction rate of nursing care,the great satisfaction rate of observation group(70.73%, 174/246) was much higher than reference group (37.65%, 93/247), the difference was statistically significant (χ2=59.789, P<0.01). Conclusion Offered outside continued nursing care to the intra-articular fracture of limbs postoperative patients can effectively improve the joint function of patients,their qualities of life and can considerably increase satisfaction of nursing care. Thus,it should to be clinically promoted.

Intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of 60 cases of intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in the treatment of intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage. Methods 60 patients with intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage in Wuzhong people's hospital from October 2013 to March 2017 were selected and were divided into reference group and study group by random sampling method, with 30 cases in each group. The reference group was treated with ceftriaxone treatment, the study group was treated with intrathecal ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. The therapeutic effect and adverse reaction rate of the two groups were evaluated. Results The total effective rate of the patients in the study group (96.67%) was significantly higher than that in the reference group (73.33 %), and the adverse reaction rate (3.33%) was significantly lower than that of the reference group (26.66%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Intrathecal injection of ceftazidime and ceftriaxone in patients with intracranial infection after intraventricular drainage, the treatment effect is obvious, and the incidence of adverse reactions is low, which is worthy of clinical study.

Influence of different germination stage on plant biomass and active compounds of Scutellaria baicalensis germchit / 中国中药杂志

This paper is aimed to study plant biomass and active compounds of Scutellaria baicalensis germchit in different five stages (from germination to transplant). The length of shoot and root, the diameter and the weight of root were determined. HPLC method was used to determine the content of active compounds (baicalin, scutellarin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin). According to the results, various biological indicators increased with the germination of seedling. However, the drying rate of the root declined to 27.96% from 32.90%. The contents of scutellarin and baicalein increased firstly, and then decreased. The maximums of them were 3.22,3.89 mg•g⁻¹ while the data of shoot/root was 0.35. The maximums of the contents of baicalin and wogonoside were 107.39,16.11 mg•g⁻¹ while the data of shoot/root was 0.23 and 0.06. The contents of wogonin gradually increased to the maximum of 0.88 mg•g⁻¹ while the data of shoot/root was 0.50. In conclusion, the contents of baicalin, scutellarin, wogonoside, baicalein and wogonin reached or approached the maximum at germination stage while the data of shoot/root was 0.35. The rate of shoot and root can be used as a judging index of active compounds for S. baicalensis germchit.

All-trans retinoic acid impairs the vasculogenic mimicry formation ability of U87 stem-like cells through promoting differentiation.

The poor therapeutic effect of traditional antiangiogenic therapy on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) may be attributed to vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which was previously reported to be promoted by cancer stem-like cells (SLCs). All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a potent reagent which drives differentiation, was reported to be able to eradicate cancer SLCs in certain malignancies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ATRA on the VM formation ability of U87 glioblastoma SLCs. The expression of cancer SLC markers CD133 and nestin was detected using immunocytochemistry in order to identify U87 SLCs. In addition, the differentiation of these SLCs was observed through detecting the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ß-tubulin III and galactosylceramidase (Galc) using immunofluorescent staining. The results showed that the expression levels of GFAP, ß-tubulin III and Galc were upregulated following treatment with ATRA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, ATRA significantly reduced the proliferation, invasiveness, tube formation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of U87 SLCs. In conclusion, the VM formation ability of SLCs was found to be negatively correlated with differentiation. These results therefore suggested that ATRA may serve as a promising novel agent for the treatment of GBM due to its role in reducing VM formation.

Effect of aqueous extracts of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of aqueous extract of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro. METHODS: Blood was collected from volunteers. Effects of the prepared water extracts of herbs on platelet aggregation were monitored on a Packs-4 aggregometer. The fluorescence intensity of water extracts of Caulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae on the expression of P-selectin in human platelets of healthy persons was measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Out of several herbs investigated, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae potently inhibited platelet aggregation after incubation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for 15 min. Caulis Spatholobi Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae inhibited adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) or platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation in PRP in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae, Caulis Spatholobi could not inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Despite its inability to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in PRP, Caulis Spatholobi had a greater anti-aggregating activity in PRP induced by ADP or PAF. Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami showed significant inhibitory effects on the expression of P-selectin. CONCLUSIONS: Caulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae have potent anti-platelet properties, and their inhibitory actions are mediated via different mechanisms. Caulis Spatholobi inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation but not by thrombin, indicating that its mechanism of action might be independent of the thromboxane pathway. The effect of Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami were associated with suppressing the expression of P-selectin.

Influence of naturaldecay of fibrousroots on growth and content of active compositions of Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba / 中国中药杂志

The change of yield and contents. of active compositions were studied while the fibrous roots were decayed naturally. HPLC method was used to detect the contents of active composition. The results show that fibrousroots could decrease the production of plant by 38.60% (20 g) and 30.99% (40 g), respectively. Treatment 1 could increase the contents of dihydrotanshinone and cryptotanshinone of Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba by 26.08% and 22.64%, respectively. Compared with the comparison, treatment 2 decreased the contents of ihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone II(A) of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba by 60.87%, 79.24%, 84.61% and 88.99%, respectively. Meanwhile, the total contents of the liposoluble constituents reduced by 86.27%. The different concentration of fibrousroots could increase the content of salvianolic acid B by 4.98% (20 g) and 23.64% (40 g), respectively. Meanwhile, the content of rosemary acid was increased by 4.98% (20 g) and 23.64% (40 g), respectively. The content of water-soluble constituents positively correlated to the mount of added fibrousroots, and the change was significantly. The result indicted that the decay of fibrousroots has a significant impact on the growth and the content of the active composition of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba under the condition of continuous cropping. Fibrousroots could decrease the content of biomass and liposoluble constituents significantly, which maybe one of the main factors to S. miltiorrhiza f. alba continuous cropping obstacle formation.

Effect of aqueous extracts of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of aqueous extract of several kinds of herbs on human platelet aggregation and expression of P-selectin in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood was collected from volunteers. Effects of the prepared water extracts of herbs on platelet aggregation were monitored on a Packs-4 aggregometer. The fluorescence intensity of water extracts of Caulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae on the expression of P-selectin in human platelets of healthy persons was measured with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of several herbs investigated, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae potently inhibited platelet aggregation after incubation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for 15 min. Caulis Spatholobi Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae inhibited adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) or platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation in PRP in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae, Caulis Spatholobi could not inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Despite its inability to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in PRP, Caulis Spatholobi had a greater anti-aggregating activity in PRP induced by ADP or PAF. Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami showed significant inhibitory effects on the expression of P-selectin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Caulis Spatholobi, Flos Carthami and Rhizoma Curcumae have potent anti-platelet properties, and their inhibitory actions are mediated via different mechanisms. Caulis Spatholobi inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation but not by thrombin, indicating that its mechanism of action might be independent of the thromboxane pathway. The effect of Caulis Spatholobi and Flos Carthami were associated with suppressing the expression of P-selectin.</p>

Study on effect of scutellarin in resisting liver fibrosis in rats / 中国中药杂志

Totally 80 rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, low, middle and high dose (25, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1)) scutellarin( SC) groups and the colchicine ( Col) group. Apart from the blank group, all of the remaining groups were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL pig serum twice every week for consecutively 13 weeks and orally administered with the corresponding drugs since the 9th week. The blank group and the model group were orally given equal volume of normal saline once every for consecutively four weeks. After the experiment, efforts were made to detect the contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and collagen type IV (CIV), collect liver tissues of fixed positions, observe the pathological changes through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, conduct the pathological grading for liver fibrosis, determine the expressions of hepatic collagen type I and III (C I, C III) and calculate their color rendering index. Compared with the model group, low, middle and high dose (25, 50, 100 mg x kg(-1)) SC groups could decrease the contents of ALT, AST, TBIL, HA, LN, CIV, increase the contents of ALB, TP in serum and reduce the contents of C I, C III in liver tissues. In conclusion, scutellarin has a certain therapeutic effect on immune liver fibrosis in rats induced by pig serum.

Clinical outcomes and economic analysis of two ovulation induction protocols in patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI cycles / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of luteal phase down-regulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in patients undergoing repeated in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) cycles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and costs was conducted among 198 patients undergoing repeated IVF-ICSI cycles, including 109 receiving luteal phase down-regulation with GnRH agonist protocol (group A) and 89 receiving GnRH antagonist protocol (group B). The numbers of oocytes retrieved and good embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, the live birth rate, mean total cost, and the cost-effective ratio were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In patients undergoing repeated IVF-ICSI cycles, the two protocols produced no significant differences in the number of good embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, or twin pregnancy rate. Compared with group B, group A had better clinical outcomes though this difference was not statistically significant. The number of retrieved oocytes was significantly greater and live birth rate significantly higher in group A than in group B (9.13=4.98 vs 7.11=4.74, and 20.2% vs 9.0%, respectively). Compared with group B, group A had higher mean total cost per cycle but lower costs for each oocyte retrieved (2729.11 vs 3038.60 RMB yuan), each good embryo (8867.19 vs 9644.85 RMB yuan), each clinical pregnancy (77598.06 vs 96139.85 RMB yuan).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For patients undergoing repeated IVF/ICSI cycle, luteal phase down-regulation with GnRH agonist protocol produces good clinical outcomes with also good cost-effectiveness in spite an unsatisfactory ovarian reserve.</p>

Protective effect of metoprolol on arrhythmia and heart rate variability in healthy people with 24 hours of sleep deprivation.

PURPOSE: Sleep deprivation, which is a strong stressor, can greatly affect the cardiovascular system of rescue workers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 24-h sleep deprivation on heart rate variability (HRV) in young healthy people and the protective effect of metoprolol on arrhythmia. METHODS: Sixty young, healthy subjects (6 women and 54 men), aged 25 ± 4.5 years, were enrolled in this study. All participants received 24-h continuous ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring. Arrhythmia, time, and frequency domain parameters were analyzed in subjects at the following three stages: normal sleep stage, sleep deprivation stage, and metoprolol treatment before sleep deprivation stage. RESULTS: After 24-h sleep deprivation, the high frequency (HF) of HRV was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), low frequency (LF) was remarkably increased (p < 0.05), and LF/HF was significantly increased compared with those in normal sleep (p < 0.05). Some subjects presented with mild palpitation due to premature atrial complexes and premature ventricular complexes. At the metoprolol treatment stage, compared with the sleep deprivation stage, LF and LF/HF were significantly reduced, HF of HRV was elevated (p < 0.05), and the total amount of premature atrial and ventricular complexes was decreased. CONCLUSION: The underlying mechanism of arrhythmia and HRV alteration after 24-h sleep deprivation could be attributable to lower vagal activity and elevated sympathetic activity. Metoprolol improves the change in autonomic nervous system activity after 24-h sleep deprivation, which may be responsible for its protective role on arrhythmia in healthy subjects undergoing sleep deprivation.

Luteolin reduces the invasive potential of malignant melanoma cells by targeting ß3 integrin and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

AIM: To investigate whether luteolin, a highly prevalent flavonoid, reverses the effects of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo and to determine the mechanisms underlying this reversal. METHODS: Murine malignant melanoma B16F10 cells were exposed to 1% O(2) for 24 h. Cellular mobility and adhesion were assessed using Boyden chamber transwell assay and cell adhesion assay, respectively. EMT-related proteins, such as E-cadherin and N-cadherin, were examined using Western blotting. Female C57BL/6 mice (6 to 8 weeks old) were injected with B16F10 cells (1×10(6) cells in 0.2 mL per mouse) via the lateral tail vein. The mice were treated with luteolin (10 or 20 mg/kg, ip) daily for 23 d. On the 23rd day after tumor injection, the mice were sacrificed, and the lungs were collected, and metastatic foci in the lung surfaces were photographed. Tissue sections were analyzed with immunohistochemistry and HE staining. RESULTS: Hypoxia changed the morphology of B16F10 cells in vitro from the cobblestone-like to mesenchymal-like strips, which was accompanied by increased cellular adhesion and invasion. Luteolin (5-50 µmol/L) suppressed the hypoxia-induced changes in the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Hypoxia significantly decreased the expression of E-cadherin while increased the expression of N-cadherin in the cells (indicating the occurrence of EMT-like transformation), which was reversed by luteolin (5 µmol/L). In B16F10 cells, luteolin up-regulated E-cadherin at least partly via inhibiting the ß3 integrin/FAK signal pathway. In experimental metastasis model mice, treatment with luteolin (10 or 20 mg/kg) reduced metastatic colonization in the lungs by 50%. Furthermore, the treatment increased the expression of E-cadherin while reduced the expression of vimentin and ß3 integrin in the tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Luteolin inhibits the hypoxia-induced EMT in malignant melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo via the regulation of ß3 integrin, suggesting that luteolin may be applied as a potential anticancer chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic agent.