In vitro antioxidant effect of curcumin on human sperm quality in leucocytospermia.

Decreased sperm quality was caused by oxidative stress in semen from patients with leucocytospermia. Curcumin is a traditional Chinese herbal monomer extracted from Zingiberaceae turmeric and zedoary turmeric and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects and specific molecular mechanisms of curcumin on sperm quality in patients diagnosed with leucocytospermia. Forty cases of semen samples were collected from patients with leucocytospermia and 35 cases from normal fertile male. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was used to detect sperm motility after curcumin incubation. ELISA was used to measure the changes in H2 O2 , sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), cytochrome B (Cyt B) and NADH dehydrogenase 5 (NADH5) contents before and after curcumin treatment. The results indicate that curcumin can significantly improve sperm motility from the patients with leucocytospermia. After curcumin treatment, the level of the H2 O2 was significantly decreased in the supernatant of curcumin-incubated spermatozoa from leucocytospermic patients. The content of mtDNA was significantly decreased, while the content of Cyt B and NADH5 in spermatozoa was significantly increased. In conclusion, curcumin can significantly improve sperm motility of leucocytospermic patients, against the oxidative damage induced by H2 O2 . Therefore, curcumin may play a role in mitigating the H2 O2 -induced injury to sperm.

[Effect of 50 mg alteplase to intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism with right ventricular dysfunction].

Objective: To investigate the effect of 50 mg alteplase to intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism (APE) with right ventricular dysfunction. Methods: From May 2011 to May 2015, a total of 73 patients with intermediate-risk APE, furthermore, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)>40 mmHg and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)>100 ng/L, were allocated to receive 50 mg alteplase plus anti-coagulation (thrombolysis group, TG, n=35) or anticoagulation alone (control group CG, n=38) according to their will.Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), RVSP, BNP, CT obstruction index (CTOI) were detected at prior treatment, 1st day, 14th day, 3rd month, 6th month. The adverse events consisting of hemodynamic decompensation (within 14 days), mortality, bleeding, recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE), RVSP>40 mmHg (at 6th month) were recorded. Results: At prior treatment, TAPSE, RVFAC, RVSP, BNP and CTOI between TG and CG were (10.9±1.4) vs (11.4±1.2) mm, (27.8±3.9)% vs (28.1±4.1)%, (55.6±7.9) vs (54.6±8.4) mmHg, (491±76) vs (482±71) ng/L and (23.4±4.2)% vs (23.7±4.5)%. There was not statistical difference between two groups (all P>0.05). From 1st to 14th day, these indexes had better and faster improvement in TG than CG. At 6th month, TAPSE, RVFAC, RVSP and CTOI between two groups were (17.5±1.3) vs (15.4±1.1) mm, (49.4±3.9)% vs (46.0±2.8)%, (15.8±2.2) vs (17.8±4.2) mmHg, and (1.7±1.6)% vs (4.0±3.0)% (all P<0.05), BNP was (66±13) vs (71±15) ng/L (P>0.05). From prior treatment to 6th month, the tendency of variation of these index in TG was better than CG (P<0.05). From prior treatment to 14th day, 3 cases of hemodynamic decompensation occurred in CG, 0 case in TG.During treatment, there were not cases of death and major bleeding. At 6th month, there were 4 cases of RVSP>40 mmHg in CG, while 0 case in TG (P=0.048). Conclusion: 50 mg alteplase can reduce the thrombus in pulmonary artery, improve right ventricular function quickly, and decrease the risk of elevated RVSP in the long term, for the patients with intermediate-risk APE.

Loss of STAG2 causes aneuploidy in normal human bladder cells.

The aim of this study was to determine how the function of human stromal antigen 2 (STAG2) plays an important role in proper chromosome separation. STAG2 mRNA in normal bladder cells and bladder tumor cells was evaluated by RT-PCR. The protein levels of STAG2 in normal bladder cells and bladder tumor cells were determined by western blot. A cell proliferation assay was used to measure the growth of tumor cells and STAG2-inhibited normal cells, and STAG2- inhibited normal cells were subjected to karyotype analysis. Both STAG-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in bladder cancer cells compared to the controls. Knockdown of STAG2 caused aneuploidy in normal bladder cells, leading to a decreased expression of the cohesin complex components SMC1, SMC3 and RAD21, but there was no obvious effect of STAG2 knockdown on cell proliferation. Our study indicated that abnormal expression of STAG2 could cause aneuploidy in normal bladder cells.

[Clinical significance of high expression with UTX in renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and significance of ubiquitously transcribed TPR gene on the X chromosome (UTX) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues, then to explore the relationship between UTX expression and renal cancer pathologic characteristics. METHODS: In the study, 45 patients with dignosed renal cell carcinoma clinical samples were collected in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital. Total RNA and protein were extracted from the cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. UTX expression of cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected on both mRNA and protein levels using real time-PCR and IHC, respectively. And the relationship between UTX expression and the 45 patients' clinical characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS: The mRNA level of UTX in cancer tissues(C) was 4.4 folds, higher than that of the adjacent normal tissues(N) [ 0.883 2±0.703 8 vs. 0.199 7±0.140 0, P<0.05]. The protein expression of UTX in cancer tissues was up-regulated, and the protein score of cancer tissues was 4 folds, change compared with adjacent normal tissues[12±4 vs. 3±3, P<0.05].The expression of UTX was associated with pathological grade(P=0.004)but without gender, age, tumor size and TNM stage. CONCLUSION: UTX is up-regulated in RCC tissues and the expression of UTX is associated with pathological grade, illustrating that UTX may play an important role in renal cancer progression.

Down-regulation of TCF21 is associated with poor survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Transcription factor 21 (TCF21) has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor at 6q23-q24 that is epigenetically inactivated in many types of human cancers. We recently found that TCF21 methylation level was significantly increased in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of TCF21 expression in ccRCC and analyze the relationship between TCF21 expression and methylation level. We used real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of TCF21, and used methylation specific-PCR (MS-PCR) to determine the methylation status of TCF21 in ccRCC samples and cell line 786-O. The results showed that TCF21 expression level in ccRCC samples was significantly lower than in normal adjacent tissue samples (NAT samples). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that TCF21 was a significant prognosticator of cancer-specific survival (p=0.001). Furthermore, the DNA demethylating agent 5'-azacytidine restored part of TCF21 expression by suppressing TCF21 methylation in 786-O. The methylation level of TCF21 in ccRCC samples was much higher than in NAT samples. These results suggest that the expression of TCF21 was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in patients with ccRCC. Aberrant methylation was an important reason for the down-regulation the expression of TCF21, and may be associated with tumorigenesis in ccRCC.

Possible function of the frenulum of prepuce in penile erection.

Fremulum of prepuce was the ruffle of foreskin while there was little about the function of fremulum. This study discusses the possible function of the frenulum of prepuce in penile erection. Twelve patients had premature ejaculation (PE) whose frenula were short. Two patients suffered unsatisfied intercourse whose frenula were damaged and departed 12 or 6 months earlier. We prolonged the short frenulum and reconstructed the ruptured frenulum. All patients reported satisfied sexual intercourse after 3-6 months. It is concluded that the frenulum is important in penile erection. PE might be treated by lengthening the frenulum.

Cluster characterization of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived pluripotent embryoid bodies in four distinct developmental stages.

The formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) is the principal step in the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells. In this study, the morphological characteristics and gene expression patterns of EBs related to the sequential stages of embryonic development were well defined in four distinct developmental groups over 112 days of culture: early-stage EBs groups (1-7 days of differentiation), mid-stage EBs groups (9-15 days of differentiation), maturing EBs groups (17-45 days of differentiation) and matured EBs groups (50 days of differentiation). We first determined definite histological location of apoptosis within EBs and the sequential expression of molecular markers representing stem cells (Oct4, SSEA-1, Sox-2 and AKP), germ cells (Fragilis, Dazl, c-kit, StellaR, Mvh and Stra8), ectoderm (Neurod, Nestin and Neurofilament), mesoderm (Gata-1, Flk-1 and Hbb) and endoderm (AFP and Transthyretin). Our results revealed that developing EBs possess either pluripotent stem cell or germ cell states and that three-dimensional aggregates of EBs initiate mES cell differentiation during prolonged culture in vitro. Therefore, we suggest that this EB system to some extent recapitulates the early developmental processes occurring in vivo.

[Research progress in the application of intralymphatic allergen immunotherapy in allergic diseases].

SummaryAlthough subcutaneous immunotherapy （SCIT） and sublingual immunotherapy （SLIT） have a positive effect, there are drawbacks such as long treatment time period, frequent treatment times, and risk of adverse reactions. Peripheral superficial lymph node injection of allergen immunotherapy （ILIT） as an emerging specific immunotherapy method has the advantages of high safety, less adverse reactions, short treatment time, less treatment times, less patient pain, and exact curative effect. In recent years, more and more scholars have conducted extensive research on intra-lymphatic injection of immunotherapy for allergic diseases. This paper systematically summarizes the theoretical basis, method, safety, effectiveness and possible immune mechanism of ILIT.

Propagation of Bleustein-Gulyaev waves in a prestressed layered piezoelectric structure.

Based on the theories of nonlinear continuum mechanics, piezoelectricity and elastic waves in solids, theoretical analysis of Bleustein-Gulyaev surface acoustic wave propagation in a prestressed layered piezoelectric structure are described. Numerical calculations are performed for the case that the layer and the substrate are identical LiNbO(3) except that they are polarized in opposite directions. It is found that an almost linear behavior of the relative change in phase velocity versus the initial stress is obtained for both surface electrically free and shorted cases. Potential applications in the design of acoustic wave devices are suggested.

[Carcinosarcoma of the lung: a report of 3 cases and a review of the literature].

Three cases of lung carcinosarcoma are reported. This kind of tumour accounts for 0.1 percent in lung tumours. 53 cases in the literatures were reviewed. Authors analysed the histology, morphology, diagnosis, treatment and diagnosis. The carcinosarcoma is single or multiple symptoms of the carcinoma in the bronchi appear early, but it is difficult to diagnose it early. Final diagnosis depends on the biopsies.

[Preliminary experience of use of ultrasonic surgical aspirator for lung limited resection].

The authors reported 8 cases undergone lung limited resections (11 operations) by cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). There were 3 cases (6 operations) with multiple metastases in lung, 1 case with single metastasis in lung, 1 case with peripheric lung cancer, 1 case with nodule of tuberculosis in lung, 1 case with lung abscess and 1 case with lung cyst. All the patients recovered well postoperatively. Until now 4 cases with lung metastatic tumors have living well for 3.5, 1, 0.5, and 0.3 years. Ultrasonic Aspiration is very beneficial for lung limited resection: Less blood lose; Simple surgical techniques; and to be able to resect the deep lesions in lung and multiple lung lesions, and avoid lobectomy or pneumonectomy for more preserving lung tissue.

CFTR suppresses tumor progression through miR-193b targeting urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in prostate cancer.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is expressed in the epithelial cells of a wide range of organs/tissues from which most cancers are derived. Although accumulating reports have indicated the association of cancer incidence with genetic variations in CFTR gene, the exact role of CFTR in cancer development and the possible underlying mechanism have not been elucidated. Here, we report that CFTR expression is significantly decreased in both prostate cancer cell lines and human prostate cancer tissue samples. Overexpression of CFTR in prostate cancer cell lines suppresses tumor progression (cell growth, adhesion and migration), whereas knockdown of CFTR leads to enhanced malignancies both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we demonstrate that CFTR knockdown-enhanced cell proliferation, cell invasion and migration are significantly reversed by antibodies against either urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or uPA receptor (uPAR), which are known to be involved in various malignant traits of cancer development. More interestingly, overexpression of CFTR suppresses uPA by upregulating the recently described tumor suppressor microRNA-193b (miR-193b), and overexpression of pre-miR-193b significantly reverses CFTR knockdown-enhanced malignant phenotype and abrogates elevated uPA activity in prostate cancer cell line. Finally, we show that CFTR gene transfer results in significant tumor repression in prostate cancer xenografts in vivo. Taken together, the present study has demonstrated a previously undefined tumor-suppressing role of CFTR and its involvement in regulation of miR-193b in prostate cancer development.