Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure induces sperm quality and functional defects in mice.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) harms mammalian testis development, yet the specific mechanism of its effect on sperm quality and function is unclear. In this study, male mice were administrated DEHP (200 mg/kg/day) via intragastric (i.g.) injection for 35 days. The sperm quality and function of DEHP-exposed mice were evaluated. DEHP exposure reduced the relative testis weight and serum testosterone levels. In addition, sperm count and motility parameters decreased significantly, which led to reduced sperm fertility characterized by reduced acrosome reaction rate, sperm-egg binding capacity and blastocyte formation. DEHP exposure decreased anti-oxidant indicators and the expressions of Cat, Sod1, Prdx6 and Sirt1 in the testis. DEHP-exposure also resulted in decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in mice testis, as well as the dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of GC-1 and GC-2 cells. These phenotypes may be related to increased cell apoptosis characterized by BAX/BCL2 and P53 up-regulation. DEHP exposure resulted in the down-regulation of SIRT1 and p-AKT in mice testis and decreased levels of GC-1and GC-2 cells. DEHP co-incubation with sperm in vitro resulted in decreased tyrosine phosphorylation and progressive motility, as well as p-AKT expression in capacitated sperm. Differential sperm proteomics identified 495 differentially expressed proteins, including 257 proteins down-regulated in the DEHP-exposure group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that proteins involved in sperm-egg interaction and fertilization processes were significantly down-regulated. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the adhesion pathway was enriched in down-regulated proteins, while the pathway associated with ribosomes was enriched in up-regulated proteins. Conclusively, DEHP exposure impaired male fertility by affecting sperm quality and function, and a pathway mediating the DEHP-induced decline in sperm quality and function was identified. The study provides additional information for understanding the molecular mechanisms of DEHP exposure and its effects on male reproduction.

Deep Learning in Microscopy Image Analysis: A Survey.

Computerized microscopy image analysis plays an important role in computer aided diagnosis and prognosis. Machine learning techniques have powered many aspects of medical investigation and clinical practice. Recently, deep learning is emerging as a leading machine learning tool in computer vision and has attracted considerable attention in biomedical image analysis. In this paper, we provide a snapshot of this fast-growing field, specifically for microscopy image analysis. We briefly introduce the popular deep neural networks and summarize current deep learning achievements in various tasks, such as detection, segmentation, and classification in microscopy image analysis. In particular, we explain the architectures and the principles of convolutional neural networks, fully convolutional networks, recurrent neural networks, stacked autoencoders, and deep belief networks, and interpret their formulations or modelings for specific tasks on various microscopy images. In addition, we discuss the open challenges and the potential trends of future research in microscopy image analysis using deep learning.

LRRC25 plays a key role in all-trans retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation as a novel potential leukocyte differentiation antigen

Leukocyte differentiation antigens (LDAs) play important roles in the immune system, by serving as surface markers and participating in multiple biological activities, such as recognizing pathogens, mediating membrane signals, interacting with other cells or systems, and regulating cell differentiation and activation. Data mining is a powerful tool used to identify novel LDAs from whole genome. LRRC25 (leucine rich repeat-containing 25) was predicted to have a role in the function of myeloid cells by a large-scale "omics" data analysis. Further experimental validation showed that LRRC25 is highly expressed in primary myeloid cells, such as granulocytes and monocytes, and lowly/intermediately expressed in B cells, but not in T cells and almost all NK cells. It was down-regulated in multiple acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and bone marrow cells of AML patients and up-regulated after all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-mediated granulocytic differentiation in AML cell lines and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL; AML-M3, FAB classification) cells. Localization analysis showed that LRRC25 is a type I transmembrane molecule. Although ectopic LRRC25 did not promote spontaneous differentiation of NB4 cells, knockdown of LRRC25 by siRNA or shRNA and knockout of LRRC25 by the CRISPR-Cas9 system attenuated ATRA-induced terminal granulocytic differentiation, and restoration of LRRC25 in knockout cells could rescue ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation. Therefore, LRRC25, a potential leukocyte differentiation antigen, is a key regulator of ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation.

Comparision of the treatment and short-term and one-year prognosis from acute heart failure in tertiary hospitals versus secondary hospitals-findings from Beijing Acute Heart Failure Registry (Beijing AHF Registry) / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To assess and compare the incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of acute heart failure patients from different grades hospitals in Beijing.Methods In this prospective internet prognosis registered study (Beijing AHF Registry),a total of 3 335 consecutive patients admitted to 14 emergency departments in Beijing from January 1st 2011 to September 23rd 2012 were enrolled.According to hospital grade,these patients were divided into two groups,349 patients were from secondary hospitals,and 2 956 patients were from tertiary hospitals.Results Among the 3 335 patients,the medium age was 71 (58,79) years,and male accounted for 53.16％.The most common underlying disease were coronary disease (43.27％),hypertension (17.73％),cardiomyopathy (16.07％) etc.The average treatment time in Emergency Department was 66.82 h.The emergency department mortality rate was 3.81％ (127 cases).The 30-day and 1-year cumulative all-cause mortality were 15.3％ and 32.27％,respectively.The 30-day and 1-year cumulative all-cause readmission were 15.64％ and 46.89％,respectively.Compared with patients in tertiary hospitals,patients in secondary hospitals had more onset acute heart failure patients (63.64％ vs.49.93％),shorter emergency department treatment time (12 h vs.41 h),lower discharge rate (3.43％ vs.37.45％) and emergency department mortality(1.58％ vs.4.09％).Compared with those in tertiary hospitals,1-year cumulative all-cause mortality (25.6％ vs.33.2％),cardiovascular disease mortality (20.2％ vs.26.0％),aggravated heart failure mortality (22.4％ vs.28.8％) were lower in secondary hospitals.Following propensity score matching,compared to tertiary hospitals,patients in secondary hospitals showed lower utilization rate of beta-blockers and ACEFARB (4.51％ vs.28.17％,1.41％ vs.9.58％),except the pironolactone.Conclusion Acute heart failure in emergency department is associated with a high mortality rate and readmission rate.There is still a big gap between guidelines recommend medication current treatments for acute heart failure.

Effect of different obstetrical factors on postnatal stress urinary incontinence / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the relationship between relevant obstetrical factors and postnatal stress urinary incontinence. Methods Standard questionnaire on international urinary incontinence was applied, which was recommended by International Continence Society(ICS). Seven hundred and eighteen primiparas from the Obstetrical Department of Hebei United University Affiliated Hospital and Qinhuangdao Maternity and Child Care Hospital were randomly selected as our subject and fill out the survey. Six hundred and seventy-three primiparas were re-examined after delivery. Their postnatal situation of urinary incontinence after 42 days was recorded. Results ( 1 )Forty-one( 6. 09% ) primiparas of 673 primiparas were diagnosed with urinary incontinence after 42 days of their parturition. There were relationship between postnatal urinary incontinence with the mode of delivery,fetus body weight,progestational body weight and body mass index,and anal contraction movements(P < 0. 05).(2)The probability of the vaginal delivery group was 7. 76%(34 / 438), higher than that in primiparas with selective cesarean section group(2. 97%(7 / 235);χ2 = 6. 1;P < 0. 05).(3) The postnatal urinary incontinence in vaginal delivery group was closely related with fetus body weight, progestational body weight,body mass index( t = 4. 316,2. 093,2. 654;P < 0. 05). Conclusion (1)The postnatal urinary incontinence is more easily appeared in vaginal delivery.(2)Progestational primiparas with light body weight,fetus with less body weight,and anal contraction movements conducted in the postpartum period,can reduce the probability of postnatal urinary incontinence.(3)Mild urinary incontinence is more likely appeared during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Therefore,more pelvic floor muscle exercise will have a better effect on preventing and curing postnatal urinary incontinence.

Clinical study of tissue-type plasminogen activator therapy for children's plastic bronchitis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment of children with plastic bronchitis.Methods The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of the children with plastic bronchitis who were admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital from September 2013 to January 2015 and were treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator.This study analyzed the effect and safety of tPA treatment,including clinical and radiological changes and follow-ups.Results A lot of plastic secretions were safely removed from the bronchial tubes in all children and clinical manifestations including breathing,body temperature,transcutaneous oxygen saturation and image changes were significantly improved.Conclusions Bronchoscopy is an effective way to treat plastic bronchitis,but with the use of tPA a better clinical efficacy could be achieved.The method is safe and effective and should be applied early in the patients in order to prevent the occurrence of severe airway obstruction complications.

Value of high-frequency color doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of early breast cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods 46 cases of pathologically confirmed by surgery for breast cancer after preoperative high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of breast cancer(41 cases) ,5 cases was fibroadenoma and ultrasound diagnosis and pathology diagnosis consistent rate was 89. 1%. Two-dimensional sonographic features of breast cancer were lumps form less rules,no capsule, the border less clear,and some was like or Crab-like glitches,and Aspect ratio was greater than 1,internal had the non-uniform weak echo,some showed the sand-like calcification,rear echo attenuation,Color Doppler flow characteristics :mass flow signals could be seen around and inside, Vmax value range was 6. 6 cm / s ～ 45. 1 cm / s, Vmean(21.50 ± 10.62) cm/s,RI:0.59 ～ 1.0,an average of(0.74 ±0.1). Conclusion High frequency color Doppler ultrasonography in early diagnosis of breast cancer had a high value.

Psychological Status of Patients with Gynecological Malignant Tumors and Analysis of Correlated Factors / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To investigate the psychosocial characteristics and mind-physique status of pa-tients with gynecological malignant tumors. Methods: Clinical psycho-rating scale [life event scale (LES) and symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90)] was applied to test life events and mind-physique status of 60 cases of pa-tients with gynecological malignant tumor. The results were compared with those of 40 female patients with benign tumors and 40 normal females. Results: The frequency and tension value of total life events and those of negative life events in the malignant cancer group were much higher than those in the benign tumor group and normal group (P<0.05) and no remarkable differences were found in the frequency of positive life events among the three groups. The frequencies of total life events and negative life events were higher in the be-nign tumor group than those in the normal group (P<0.05) but there were no significant differences in the fre-quency of positive life events, total tension value or positive tension value among the three groups. No signifi-cant differences were found in the indices of SCL-90, positive scores and scorns of other factors among the three groups (P>0.05). The scores of somatization, obsession, interpersonal relationship sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobia, and paranoia were higher in the malignant tumor group than in the benign tumor group and normal group (P<0.05). The average positive scores and the depression scores in the benign tumor group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance in other indices between the benign tumor group and the normal group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Negative psychosocial factors are closely correlated with the occurrence and growth of gynecological malignant tumors. Active psychological intervention should be performed as eady as possible.

Property comparison of various skull repair materials / 中国组织工程研究

Different materials for skull repair possess varying properties and clinical effects. Metal materials are the first to be applied, but most of them induce corrosion and heat conduction; Non-metal bone substitutes, such as organic glass, have ever been commonly used, but the poor biocompatibility and high infection rate of subcutaneous exudation limit their application; Bone cement shows good histocompatibility, but the repair scale is not complete; Medical silica gel is cheap and effective, but the appearance is not satisfactory resulting from local infections and material exposures; Titanium possesses good biocompatibility and well junctures with the skull, thus it is a promising materials although the shortages still remain. With the development of bioengineering research, the skull repair materials will open up concerning the study of bone tissue engineering, cartilage tissue engineering and cornea tissue engineering. This paper is aimed to search a well-biocompatible and clinically effective material for the skull repair by the comparison on the property and clinical application of varying materials.