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Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the common tumors in the genitourinary system, with an increasing morbidity and mortality in China. Recent studies show that autophagy plays an important pathophysiological role in many diseases, including cancers. Besides, some miRNAs are also key regulatory factors for autophagy in PCa cells, and play an important role in the development, progression, diagnosis and treatment of PCa. In-depth studies of miRNAs may contribute to the discovery of some valuable diagnostic methods and novel treatment strategies. This article reviews the progress in researches on the role of autophagy-related miRNAs in PCa, aiming to provide some reference for the diagnosis and treatment of the malignancy.

Objective: To analyze the influential factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with localized prostate cancer (LPC) after radical surgery., Methods: The clinical data of 150 male patients diagnosed with LPC and normal erectile function (EF) before surgery admitted to the Department of Urology of the Eastern Theatre General Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The EF status of the patients 6 months after surgery was assessed using the International Erectile Function Index -5(IIEF-5). Age, Gleason score, PSA level, TNM stage, preoperative International prostatic symptom score (IPSS), preoperative prostate volume, smoking index, alcohol consumption index, educational level, comorbidities, operation mode, and psychosexual state were used as influencing factors to analyze their effects on postoperative ED., Results: Of the 150 patients, 88 had ED and 62 had normal EF. Univariate analysis showed that age, preoperative IPSS, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual and psychological status were significantly correlated with postoperative ED. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual and psychological status were independent factors influencing the occurrence of ED after RP in LPC patients., Conclusion: The recovery of sexual function of patients with localized prostate cancer after radical surgery is generally poor, and the incidence of ED is high. Its independent influencing factors include age, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual psychological state, etc. Correct intervention of different influencing factors is required in clinical work. In order to provide a better diagnosis and treatment scheme for LPC patients undergoing radical treatment, reduce the incidence of postoperative ED and improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.

We explored the involvement of orphan nuclear receptor 4 A1 (NR4A1) in myocardial fibrosis mediated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and its response to cytosporone B (Csn-B). We developed a diabetic cardiomyopathy mouse model by administering a high-fat diet in conjunction with a low-dose streptozotocin injection. Our analysis involved monitoring alterations in blood glucose and lipid levels, cardiac function and structure, as well as profibrotic factors such as α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, connective tissue growth factor, and fibronectin. These assessments were conducted using biochemical techniques, Doppler ultrasound, histopathology, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were extracted from suckling mice and cultivated in a high-glucose medium to simulate diabetes-induced myocardial fibrosis in vitro. These CFs were then subjected to coculture experiments with TGF-β1 or Csn-B. The proliferation and migration of CFs were assessed using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assays and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were employed to evaluate the expression levels of NR4A1, p-NR4A1, and α-SMA in CFs treated with TGF-β1 after NR4A1 knockdown or Csn-B administration, respectively. In diabetic heart tissue, the expression of p-NR4A1 was notably elevated. Furthermore, CFs exhibited enhanced proliferative capabilities and increased p-NR4A1 expression following high glucose exposure. Interestingly, NR4A1 knockdown resulted in a significant increase in the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in CFs following treatment with TGF-β1. Moreover, our observations revealed a marked decrease in p-NR4A1 levels and a reduction in the expression of fibrosis-related proteins after Csn-B treatment. In diabetic mice treated with Csn-B, we noted diminished NR4A1 phosphorylation and a mitigation of myocardial fibrosis. We concluded that in the mouse model, Csn-B played a pivotal role in inhibiting diabetes-induced myocardial fibrosis by activating NR4A1.

Objective： To explore the mechanism of Miao ethnicity medicine formula of Oxalis corniculata against chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. Methods: The rat model of chronic abacterial prostatitis was induced by stimulation with 2% sterile carrageenan solution. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into two groups, Model control group (Model group) and oxalis group. Another normal control group was set up. The rats in the Model group and the normal control group were given 0.01ml/g normal saline by gavage, and the rats in the oxalis alis group were given 1ml/100g (1 g/kg) of Oxalis corniculata L warm water decoction by gavage once a day for 28 days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, 10ml blood was collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, and prostate tissue samples were collected from the rats. hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological structure of the prostate in normal and prostatitis rats. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum and prostate cytokines. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 and FGF2 were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed obvious hyperplasia of fibrous tissue in the interstitium of the prostate tissue, disordered glandular structure, papillary hyperplasia of epithelial cells in the acini, infiltration of a small amount of lymphocytes, monocytes and other inflammatory cells in the acini, and increased pathological scores. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 , MCP-1 and FGF2 in prostate tissue were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, the prostate tissue of the oxalis group was slightly damaged, with a small amount of fibrous hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 , MCP-1 and FGF2 were decreased in prostate tissue. Conclusion： Oxalis corniculata L can effectively repair the pathological morphology of prostate tissue in rats with CNP, and its mechanism may be related to activating 4-HNE protein and reducing oxidative stress injury of prostate tissue in rats.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion assisted transperineal systematic biopsy, targeted biopsy and combined biopsy in the diagnosis of PCa, and to evaluate the clinical application value of combined biopsy., Methods: From April 2022, the general personal information and clinical data of patients with suspicious prostate lesions (PI-RADS≥3) detected by 3.0T mpMRI were collected, then underwent AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion-assisted transperineal prostate biopsy. The data included age, PSA level, PV, PSAD, PI-RADS score, Gleason score of biopsy tissue, etc. The mpMRI image data were imported into the real-time fusion imaging system before biopsy. After image fusion, the suspected PCa lesion was taken as the target, 2 to 3 cores of targeted biopsy were first performed, then 12 cores of systematic biopsy were continued. The results of targeted biopsy + systematic biopsy were defined as the results of combined biopsy. The detection rate of PCa, CsPCa and pathological Gleason score were compared among different biopsy methods, and the diagnostic efficacy in different PI-RADS score groups was further evaluated., Results: A total of 118 PCa cases were detected in 220 patients enrolled in this study. The PCa detection rates of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 40.45% and 43.64%, the result reveals no statistical significance (P=0.562). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 53.64%, higher than single biopsy method and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The detection rates of CsPCa in systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 28.18% and 37.27% which reveals significant statistical difference (P=0.042). The CsPCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 41.82%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.003), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.330). In PI-RADS score 3 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 39.29% and 21.43%, which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.146). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 50%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.026), but was not compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.420). In PI-RADS 4 ~5 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 40.10%, and 46.88% which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.181). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 54.17%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.006), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.153). Among PCa patients detected by both systematic and targeted biopsy, 39 had concordant pathologic Gleason scores, 13 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for systematic biopsy, and 18 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for targeted biopsy., Conclusion: Compared with systematic biopsy, AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS image fusion assisted transperineal targeted prostate biopsy has a higher detection rate of CsPCa and is probably closer to the true pathological Gleason score. Compared with single biopsy, combined biopsy has higher diagnostic efficiency for PCa, which can be used as one of the options of prostate biopsy in clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the consistency of the Gleason scores of PCa patients based on preoperative biopsy with those from postoperative pathology, identify the possible factors influencing results of scoring, and construct a risk scoring model., Methods: We collected the demographic and clinical data on the patients with PCa confirmed by preoperative prostate biopsy or postoperative pathology and treated by radical prostatectomy within 6 months after diagnosis. Using paired sample t-test, we identified the difference between the Gleason scores based on preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology, analyzed the demographic and clinical data on the patients for relevant factors affecting the consistency of the Gleason scores, and calculated and visualized the relative risk values of the factors through Poisson regression. From the continuous variables with statistical significance, we screened independent risk factors for the difference in the Gleason scores by Lasso regression analysis, established a risk scoring model, generated risk coefficients, and evaluated the predictive ability of the model using the ROC curve. Based on the results of imaging examination with statistically significant differences, we constructed a column chart by logistic regression and evaluated the predictive validity of the chart using calibration curves, decision curves and ROC curves., Results: The results of paired sample t-test for 210 PCa patients showed statistically significant differences between the Gleason scores from preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the body weight, BMI and PSA level as well as in all other factors but prostate calcification between the patients with consistent and those with inconsistent Gleason scores (all P < 0.05). An 8-factor prediction model was successfully constructed, which could predict the consistency of Gleason scores, with a better predicting performance than the single indicator within the model. The nomogram exhibited a C-index value of 0.85, with the calibration curve similar to the standard one, the threshold of the decision curve 0.10－0.92, and the area under the ROC curve higher than other predictive indicators., Conclusion: Based on the demographic and clinical data on PCa patients, a risk prediction model and a column chart were successfully constructed, which could effectively predict the difference between the Gleason scores from preoperative prostate biopsy and those from postoperative pathology.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of men to consistently obtain and maintain sufficient penile erections to complete a satisfactory sex activity, significantly affecting men's quality of life. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) may improve erectile function by inducing angiogenesis and reversing the pathological process of the erectile tissue, and is a safe, effective and tolerable method for the treatment of vascular ED. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanism and clinical application of Li-ESWT in the treatment of ED.

Objective: To verify the effect and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) in improving the symptoms of ED, and provide some reference for further related large-scale clinical trials., Methods: Twenty-six patients diagnosed with ED received Li-ESWT with an energy of 0.09 mJ/mm2 for 20 minutes once a week for 6 four-week courses. Before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment, we obtained the IIEF-5 and Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS) scores of the patients using questionnaires, recorded the incidence of treatment-related adverse reactions, compared the erectile function of the patients before and after treatment, and evaluated the effect and safety of Li-ESWT in improving ED-related symptoms., Results: Compared with the baseline, the IIEF-5 scores of the patients were significantly increased (P < 0.01) while the EHS scores slightly increased at 3 months after Li-ESWT treatment (P > 0.05), both IIEF-5 and EHS scores were dramatically increased at 6 months (P < 0.01), and both significantly higher than at 3 months. At 9 months, EHS scores remained remarkably higher than the baseline (P < 0.01) although IIEF-5 scores slightly lower than at 6 months. At 12 months, however, IIEF-5 scores decreased, though still significantly higher than the baseline (P < 0.01), and EHS scores became lower than at 6 and 9 months (P < 0.05) but still markedly higher than before treatment (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions observed during the intervention mainly included pruritus (4.35%), pain (2.90%), paresthesia (2.17%), and petechiae/ecchymosis (2.90%)., Conclusion: Li-ESWT can increase the IIEF-5 and EHS scores and improve the clinical symptoms of ED patients, with a low incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment.

We examined the effect of ginsenoside Re (G-Re) on autophagy in H9c2 cardiomyocytes cultured in glucose deprivation (GD). Levels of the membrane-bound autophagy-related microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) B-2 were measured via immunoblotting and immunofluorescence was conducted to assess autophagosome formation. GD H9c2 cells were treated with 100 μmol/l G-Re. Cell viability was determined in culture medium. Phosphorylated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-α and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) levels were measured to explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of G-Re on autophagy in GD cells. G-Re treatment inhibited autophagosome formation and may be beneficial to GD cardiomyocytes.

Infections caused by HSV-1 and their typical outbreaks invading the nervous system have been related to neurodegenerative diseases. HSV-1 infection may deregulate the balance between the amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic pathways, raising the accumulation of amyloid-β peptides, one of the hallmarks in the neurodegenerative diseases. An effective treatment against both, HSV-1 infections and neurodegeneration, is a major therapeutic target. Therefore, gold nanoparticles (NPAus) have been previously studied in immunotherapy, cancer and cellular disruptions with very promising results. Our study demonstrates that a new NPAus family inhibits the HSV-1 infection in a neural-derived SK-N-MC cell line model and that this new NPAus reduces the HSV-1-induced -secretase activity, as well as amyloid- accumulation in SK-APP-D1 modifies cell line. We demonstrated that NPAuG3-S8 crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and does not generate cerebral damage to in vivo CD1 mice model. The NPAuG3-S8 could be a promising treatment against neuronal HSV-1 infections and neuronal disorders related to the Aβ peptides., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In this study, we investigated the effect of Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, on the migration of human trophoblasts and mouse placentation by using the primary extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and its cell line HTR-8/SVneo, villous explant cultures, and pregnant mice. BPA increased EVT motility and the outgrowth of villous explants in a dose-dependent manner. BPA also increased the protein levels of integrin-β1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in human EVTs. Low-dose BPA (≤50 mg) increased the protein levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 as well as integrin-β1 and integrin-α5 in mouse placenta and decreased the proportion of the labyrinth and spongiotrophoblast layers. Inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) U0126 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3K) LY294002 reversed the protein levels of integrin-β1 and MMP-9 as well as the migratory ability induced by BPA. In conclusion, these results indicated that BPA can enhance trophoblast migration and impair placentation in mice by a mechanism involving upregulation of integrin(s) and MMP(s) as well as the stimulation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt (protein kinase B) signaling pathways., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Aim: To identify disease-causing mutation in a congenital cataract family using enrichment of targeted genes combined with next-generation sequencing., Methods: A total of 371 known genes related to inherited eye diseases of the proband was selected and captured, followed by high-throughput sequencing. The sequencing data were analyzed by established bioinformatics pipeline. Validation was performed by Sanger sequencing., Results: A recurrent heterozygous non-synonymous mutation c.130G>A (p.V44M) in the GJA3 gene was identified in the proband. The result was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation showed co-segregation with the disease phenotype in the family but was not detected in unaffected controls., Conclusion: Targeted exome sequencing is a rapid, high-throughput and cost-efficient method for screening known genes and could be applied to the routine gene diagnosis of congenital cataract.

Neuroendocrine tumors are composed by a heterogeneous group of tumors with a wide range of morphologic, functional, and behavioral characteristics. These tumors are generally slow growing and behave in an indolent fashion. However, they have the potential to spread, especially for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, and when they do, they can be very aggressive, with high propensity for distant metastases, and difficult to treat with current modalities. As poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas rarely occur in extrapulmonary sites, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a poorly differentiated duodenal neuroendocrine carcinoma with diffuse liver and bone metastases as the primary manifestation. Despite receiving a trial of chemotherapeutic regimen, the patient had progressive intrahepatic cholestasis and died of subacute hepatic failure.

The racial/ethnic disparities in DNA methylation patterns indicate that molecular markers may play a role in determining the individual susceptibility to diseases in different ethnic groups. Racial disparities in DNA methylation patterns have been identified in prostate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer and are related to racial differences in cancer prognosis and survival., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Interfacing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with pathology is critically important for understanding the pathologic basis of MRI signal changes in vivo and for clinicopathologic correlations. Postmortem MRI is an intermediate step in this process; unfortunately, however, relating the data to standard pathologic sections, which are relatively thick and often nonparallel, is both time-consuming and insufficiently accurate. The aim of this project was to develop technology to integrate postmortem, high-resolution, whole-brain MRI into the planning and execution of pathologic analysis through precise localization of the target and coordinates of cut. Compared with standard pathologic sectioning, the use of an individualized, 3-dimensionally printed cutting box-designed based on postmortem MRI of formalin-fixed whole brains-improved the speed, quality, and accuracy of radiologic-pathologic correlations and, specifically, the histopathologic localization of imaging findings. The technology described herein is easily implemented, applicable to any brain disorder, and potentially extendable to other organs. From the point of view of the pathologist, this technique can improve localization of small or subtle abnormalities, whereas from the point of view of the radiologist, it has the potential to improve understanding of MRI signal changes observed in diseases.

Background: This review was undertaken to identify and summarize the existing evidence regarding postrelapse rehabilitation interventions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS)., Methods: Literature searches were conducted within the following databases: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE via Ovid, and PsycINFO via CSA Illumina. The following terms were searched as subject headings or keywords: choice behavior, counseling, decision making, disease management, health education, health promotion, patient education, patient participation, patient satisfaction, psychotherapy, rehabilitation, self-care, self-management. Then these searches were combined with the subject headings for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and subject heading or keywords for recurrence/relapse. Through the initial database search and additional citation search, 260 potentially relevant citations were identified. After screening the titles and abstracts as well as the citation search results, the reviewers agreed to keep five studies for the full-text reviews. Three rehabilitation intervention studies were included in the final review., Results: A combined total of 145 adults who experienced a relapse within the previous 5 months received 3 to 18 days of rehabilitation. All three studies suggested the benefit of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for individuals with MS to improve impairment or disability., Conclusions: The three multidisciplinary rehabilitation interventions included in this review appear to be effective in improving impairment or disability of people with MS who experienced a relapse. Given the limited number of studies and their methodological limitations, the results must be interpreted cautiously. Further investigation is needed to better understand the rehabilitation needs of people with MS after relapse in order to improve research and care.

Trisomy 21 is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. There has been limited research into the DNA methylation status of CpG islands (CGIs) in trisomy 21, therefore, exploring the DNA methylation status of CGIs in 21q is essential for the development of a series of potential epigenetic biomarkers for prenatal screening of trisomy 21. First, DNA sequences of CGIs in 21q from the USCS database were obtained and 149 sequences and 148 pairs of primers in the BGI YH database were aligned. All 300 cases were analyzed by a heavy methyl-polymerase chain reaction (HM-PCR) assay and a comparison of the DNA methylation status of CGIs was made between trisomy 21 and the control. The HM-PCR assay results did not show a difference in the DNA methylation status between individuals with trisomy 21 and the control. In total, there were 11 CGIs that showed various DNA methylation statuses between Japanese and Chinese patients. Subsequently, bisulfite genomic sequencing found variations in the methylation status of CpG dinucleotides in CGIs (nos. 14, 75, 109, 134 and 146) between trisomy 21 and the control. The different DNA methylation status of CpG dinucleotides in CGIs may be a potential epigenetic marker for diagnosing trisomy 21. No difference was identified in the DNA methylation status of 21q CGIs among Chinese individuals with trisomy 21 and the control. The homogeneity of the DNA methylation status of 21q CGIs in Chinese patients indicates that DNA methylation is likely to be an epigenetic marker distinguishing ethnicities.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes associated with high disability rate and low quality of life. Tang-Luo-Ning (TLN) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of DPN. To illustrate the underlying neural protection mechanisms of TLN, the effect of TLN on electrophysiology and sciatic nerve morphology was investigated in a model of streptozotocin-induced DPN, as well as the underlying mechanism. Sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity and digital sensory nerve conduction velocity were reduced in DPN and were significantly improved by TLN or α -lipoic acid at 10 and 20 weeks after streptozotocin injection. It was demonstrated that TLN intervention for 20 weeks significantly alleviated pathological injury as well as increased the phosphorylation of ErbB2, Erk, Bad (Ser112), and the mRNA expression of neuregulin 1 (Nrg1), GRB2-associated binding protein 1 (Gab1), and mammalian target of rapamycin (Mtor) in injured sciatic nerve. These novel therapeutic properties of TLN to promote Schwann cell survival may offer a promising alternative medicine for the patients to delay the progression of DPN. The underlying mechanism may be that TLN exerts neural protection effect after sciatic nerve injury through Nrg1/ErbB2→Erk/Bad Schwann cell survival signaling pathway.

Objective: To study the effects of Qiwei Granule (QWG) on the protein and mRNA expressions of renal tissue transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in KK-Ay mice with spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: Spontaneous T2DM KK-Ay mice model was adopted. Forty-five male mice were randomly divided into three groups, i. e., the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 15 in each group. Fifteen male C57BL/6J mice were set up as the normal control group. The mice in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group were administered intragastrically with QWG (at the daily dose of 20 g/kg) and valsartan (at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg), and the treatment lasted for 12 successive weeks. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed using HE staining, PAS, and Masson staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, were detected using immunohistochemical method and Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR., Results: The renal pathological changes of mice in the model group showed hypertrophic glomeruli, widened mesenteric matrix, increased mesangial cells, vacuolar renal tubular epithelial cells, tubular ectasia, and foci atrophy. Necrosis was occasionally seen. More protein cast, mesenchymal infiltration of inflammatory cells, and interstitial fibrosis could be seen. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1 increased more in the model group than in the normal control group. After treatment by QWG and valsartan, the renal pathological changes were obviously alleviated, and the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1 were obviously lowered (P<0.05)., Conclusion: By inhibiting the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, QWG could play a role in preventing and curing diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection leads to many upper gastrointestinal diseases. Migrant workers are the main part of floating population in China. However, up to now, their health status has not been a focus of attention., Methods: In order to assess the status of H. pylori infection among migrant workers in Shijiazhuang, over five years we interviewed 324 individuals between 2007 and 2011. Each underwent a rapid urease test to identify H. pylori infection and socio-demographic indicators were collected using a survey questionnaire., Results: Our results showed that family income (P = 0.003), dietetic hygiene (P = 0.005), education (P = 0.004) and marital status (P = 0.007) were associated with H. pylori infection., Conclusion: We found that migrant workers had little basic knowledge of H. pylori and their prevalence of infection remains high. Therefore, we need to promote education and awareness of H. pylori and to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment for infected workers.

Background: We previously found that remnant-like lipoproteins (RLPs), lipolytic products of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins including very low-density lipoprotein and chylomicron, can accelerate endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) senescence, which involves telomerase activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RLPs on telomerase activity and the catalytic subunit telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in EPCs and the associated signal pathway., Methods: RLPs were prepared from plasma samples by the immunoaffinity method. EPCs at day 8 were incubated with RLPs at 10-, 50-, 100-, and 200-μg/mL for 24 hours. Telomerase activity was measured with telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay, and optimum concentration of RLPs was determined. Human TERT (hTERT) and phosphorylated Akt protein kinase were detected by Western blot analysis in RLP-incubated EPCs with or without pretreatment of either superoxide dismutase or atorvastatin for 3 hours. Phosphorylated hTERT was measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blot assay. Nitrotyrosine was evaluated by immunofluorescence assay, and senescent EPCs were determined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining., Results: Dose dependently, RLPs resulted in a decrease in telomerase activity, with a maximal effect at 200 μg protein/mL. The optimum concentration of RLPs was determined as 100 μg protein/mL. This dosage resulted in significant increases in senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cell and nitrotyrosine staining. In addition, RLPs decreased the expression of hTERT and repressed the phosphorylation of Akt and hTERT. Pretreatment of either superoxide dismutase or atorvastatin remarkably reversed these effects., Conclusions: RLPs may suppress telomerase activity and accelerate EPC senescence through downregulating hTERT expression via the reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway., (Copyright © 2011 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the quality and spatial distribution features of semen and to evaluate the reproductive health of the males in the Chongqing section of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area., Methods: We collected semen samples by masturbation after 2 -7 days of abstinence from the men in Nan'an, Shapingba, Zhongxian, Wanzhou, Yunyang and Wushan of Chongqing, which are geographically and demographically representative of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area. We analyzed the semen quality of all the samples and evaluated the reproductive health of the men., Results: The mean value of the five semen parameters of the male subjects from the six districts was within the normal range, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, rapid progressive motile sperm, and total motile sperm. Those from Shapingba, Yunyang and Zhongxian exhibited abnormal sperm motility. According to the WHO criteria, normal value of all the semen parameters was found in less than 50% of the semen samples from the six districts, in 47% of those from Yunyang, and only 16% of those from Wanzhou. Spatial distribution maps of the semen parameters revealed significant spatial differences in seminal quality among the six districts, the highest in Yunyang, and the lowest in Wanzhou and Wushan that are located in the middle and lower reaches of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area., Conclusion: The mean value of semen parameters was low in a large proportion of men in the Chongqing section of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area, with spatial differences along the Changjiang river.

Complete understanding of the route of HIV-1 transmission is an important prerequisite for curbing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. So far, the known routes of HIV-1 transmission include sexual contact, needle sharing, puncture, transfusion and mother-to-child transmission. Whether HIV can be vertically transmitted from human sperm to embryo by fertilization is largely undetermined. Direct research on embryo derived from infected human sperm and healthy human ova have been difficult because of ethical issues and problems in the collection of ova. However, the use of inter-specific in vitro fertilization (IVF) between human sperm and hamster ova can avoid both of these problems. Combined with molecular, cytogenetical and immunological techniques such as the preparation of human sperm chromosomes, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunofluorescence assay (IFA), this study mainly explored whether any integrated HIV provirus were present in the chromosomes of infected patients' sperm, and whether that provirus could be transferred into early embryos by fertilization and maintain its function of replication and expression. Evidence showed that HIV-1 nucleic acid was present in the spermatozoa of HIV/AIDS patients, that HIV-1 provirus is present on the patient sperm chromosome, that the integrated provirus could be transferred into early embryo chromosomally integrated by fertilization, and that it could replicate alongside the embryonic genome and subsequently express its protein in the embryo. These findings indicate the possibility of vertical transmission of HIV-1 from the sperm genome to the embryonic genome by fertilization. This study also offers a platform for the research into this new mode of transmission for other viruses, especially sexually transmitted viruses.

Objective: To analyze the numerical aberration of chromosome X, Y and 18 in the spermatozoa of asthenospermia patients by triple-color fluorescence in situ hybridization., Methods: The experiment included 10 asthenospermia patients and 5 healthy men with normal semen quality as controls. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and probes for chromosomes including X, Y and 18 were used to determine the frequency of the aneuploid of the chromosomes in spermatozoa., Results: Of the 45,547 spermatozoa counted from the semen samples, the hybridization rate was 99.18%. The frequencies of the chromosome disomies including XX18, XY18, YY18, X1818 and Y1818 were (0.124 +/- -0.086)%, (0.360 +/- 0.380)%, (0.109 +/- 0.195)%, (0.342 +/- 0.746)% and (0.299 +/- 0.564)% in the case group and (0.014 +/- 0.019)%, (0.090 +/- 0.080)%, (0.030 +/- 0.031)%, (0.068 +/- 0.103)% and (0.075 +/- 0.083)% in the control. The sperm aneuploid rate was 9.25% in the former and 2.70% in the latter, with significant difference in between (P< 0.01)., Conclusion: Asthenospermia patients have a higher aneuploid rate of sperm chromosome than normal fertile men. However, larger samples are yet to be studied to obtain more scientific evidence.

The effects of tetrandrine (TET) on the contractile responses of rat aortic rings and perfused rat mesenteric arteries to phenylephrine (PE) were investigated. TET inhibited the maximal contraction to PE in a concentration-dependent manner. TET significantly inhibited the transient contraction in Ca(2+)-free medium presumably due to release of intracellular Ca2+ after activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. However, it caused a stronger inhibition of the sustained contraction in Ca(2+)-containing medium presumably the result of Ca2+ influx. TET has no inhibitory effect on caffeine-induced transient contraction. Radioligand receptor binding study using isolated dog aortic muscle membranes indicated that TET inhibited the binding of 3H-prazosin in a competitive manner, hence showing that TET interacted directly with the alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Thus, TET affected PE-induced aortic contractions by multiple mechanisms, inhibiting interaction of PE with alpha 1-adrenoceptors and interfering with PE-induced responses involving both Ca2+ entry and release.