Expression and significance of GDNF gene in recovery of spermatogenesis in mice

Objectives: To analyze the expression and significance of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the recovery of spermato genesis in mice. Methods: Adult Kunming mice were injected in traperitoneally with 2 doses of busulfan (10 mg/kg) 24 days apart so as to establish the spermatogenesis recovery modei. Testes were harvested at weeks l, 2, 3,4, 6, 8 and 10 after the second injection. Eight normai mice served as the controls. Recovery of spermatoge nesis was observed by light and electron microscopy and the GDNF mRNA measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Results: After the second injection the expression of GDNF mRNA was increased significantly at week l and reached its peak at week 2. It was then decreased significantly at week 3 and reached its valley at week 4. After that it was increased gradu ally and recovered at week 10. GDNF mRNA was mainly ex pressed by the Sertoli celis. Conclusion: In the course of recovery of spermatogenesis, a high Ievel of GDNF expression     

Pattern of injury in Shiraz

Objective： Injury is a major neglected health problem in developing countries. The first step in dealing with injury problem is to identify the injury patterns and characteristics. Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the current status of trauma admissions to hospitals in Shiraz, as a major city of Iran.
Methods： A hospital-based study was conducted in 2002. All injured patients admitted during 6 months in emergency departments of two general hospitals of Shiraz, Nemazi and Chamran were included.
Results： A total of 1 765 injured patients were registered during the study period, with mean age of 33 years. Manual workers were the most vulnerable group among occupational categories. Inner-city roads were the most common place of injury and traffic accident was the major cause of injury. Overally, falling injury was the second common cause of injury in males and the first cause in females （ especially at the age of over 60）.
Conclusion： As other studies conducted in our society, traffic accidents are the major cause of morbidity and mortality and this can emphasize on the obligation to take legislative action in the field of driving and road safety, directing resources and educating the public and raising the awareness of the community in prevention of this iceberg-like problem.     

Expression of adenovirus-mediated neurotrophin-3 gene in Schwann cells of sciatic nerve in rats

Sｕｃｃｅｓｓｆｕｌｐｅｒｉｐｈｅｒａｌｎｅｒｖｅｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎａｆｔｅｒｍｉｃｒｏｓｕｒｇｉｃａｌｒｅｐａｉｒｒｅｑｕｉｒｅｓｏｐｔｉｍａｌｃｏｎｄｉｔｉｏｎｓｉｎｔｈｅｍｉｃｒｏ ｍｉｌｉｅｕ .Ｎｅｕｒｏｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｆａｃｔｏｒｓ(ＮＴＦｓ) ,ｍａｉｎｐａｒｔｓｏｆｔｈｅｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｖｅｍｉｃｒｏ ｍｉｌｉｅｕ ,ｈａｖｅｂｅｅｎｓｈｏｗｎｔｏｐｌａｙａｎｅｓｓｅｎｔｉａｌｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｒｏｌｅｉｎｔｈｅｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔａｎｄｒｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎｏｆｐｅｒｉｐｈｅｒａ…     

What's new in our understanding of the role of adipokines in rheumatic diseases?

Important advances in our understanding of the relationships between adipokines, inflammation and the immune response have been achieved in the past 10 years. White adipose tissue has emerged as a highly dynamic organ that releases a plethora of immune and inflammatory mediators that are involved in numerous diseases, including not only rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, but also cardiovascular and metabolic complications that are frequently observed in rheumatic diseases. Our rapidly growing knowledge of adipokine biology is revealing the complexity of these amazing proteins, thereby redefining white adipose tissue as a key element of the inflammatory and immune response in rheumatic diseases. Adipokines exert potent modulatory actions on target tissues and cells involved in rheumatic disease, including cartilage, synovium, bone and various immune cells. In this Review, we describe the most recent advances in adipokine research in the context of rheumatic diseases, focusing primarily on leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin, and also the potential role of newly identified adipokines such as chemerin, lipocalin 2 and serum amyloid A3.     

Expression of β-catenin in regenerating renal tubules of cisplatin-induced kidney failure in rats

Background

β-Catenin is a multi-functional protein involved in nephrogenesis and also plays important roles in renal injury. Here, the expression of β-catenin was investigated in the proximal renal tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin (CDDP)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney injury (CKI), because CDDP-induced renal lesions were characterized by proximal renal tubular epithelial degeneration/regeneration and subsequent interstitial fibrosis.

Methods

F344 rats were treated with CDDP. The expression of β-catenin and proliferative (Ki67) or fibrogenic [vimentin, α-smooth action (α-SMA)] markers was analyzed by immunolabeling.

Results

β-Catenin, vimentin and Ki67 were not seen in the proximal renal tubules of control rats. Interestingly, in CDDP-induced AKI, the regenerating proximal renal tubular epithelial cells reacting strongly with Ki67 expressed membranous or cytoplasmic β-catenin and also showed a positive reaction to vimentin but not to α-SMA. In CDDP-induced CKI, the epithelial cells of abnormally dilated or atrophied renal tubules did not react to β-catenin or Ki67, but showed positive reactions to vimentin and α-SMA. β-Catenin mRNAs were significantly increased in AKI and significantly decreased in CKI.

Conclusion

Newly expressed β-catenin in the proximal renal tubules after AKI may participate in functional regeneration. In CKI, epithelial cells of abnormal renal tubules did not express β-catenin but reacted to vimentin, and α-SMA might indicate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) formation, because α-SMA is usually expressed in myofibroblasts forming via EMT. The presence or absence of β-catenin expression would become a marker for the EMT phenomenon in progressive renal fibrosis.

     

Delivery efficiency of periadventitial approach in comparison of intravascular delivery: an assessment of pharmacokinetics in porcine arteries

Objective To investigate the delivery efficacy of periadventitial delivery of ^125I-iododeoxyuridine （^125I-IUdR） in comparison of intravascular delivery to determine the optimal delivery method for inhibiting post-angioplasty restenosis. Methods In 8 pigs, one side carotid, subclavian and iliac arteries of each pig were injured by balloon angioplasty with a 20% overstretches. Then, 4 mCi of ^125I-IUdR was delivered at each targeted vessel with periadventitial method in 4 pigs （periadventitial group） and with intravascular method via a porous balloon catheter in other 4 pigs （intravascular group）. The animals survived for 5 hours and the blood radioactivity was investigated prior to and hourly after procedure until sacrifice. The targeted vessels and renal arteries （for control） were harvested for gamma-counting and histological observation. Meanwhile, the radioactivity in thyroid, liver, bladder, small bowel and each kidney also were measured to determine the biodistribution of ^125I. The activities of ^125I presented in arterial and tissue specimens were compared between the two delivery groups. The targeted arteries were histologically observed and the ratio of intima to media （I ： M ratio） was calculated. Results The target arterial walls in the periadventitial group had 3.4 times as much of ^125I radioactivity as in the intravascular group, respectively （P = 0. 038） ; the blood activity in intravascular group was significantly higher than periadventitial group immediate after procedure （P〈0.05） and intravascular delivery resulted in much higher activity in urine than periadventitial delivery （P〈0.05）. The systemic biodistributions of ^125I-IUdR in the organs were slightly higher in the intravascular group （P〉0.05）. The mean I： M ratios in both groups were 0.05 without additional injury at the vessel wall. Conclusion The periadventitial delivery offered substantial advantage over intravascular approach with high local delivery efficacy. The apparent redistribution rate is more rapid following intravascular delivery.     

Evaluation of thymosin β4 in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in urothelial carcinoma

ObjectivesTo study the underlying alteration in the expression of epithelial markers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and elucidate the potential mechanism(s) for Tβ4-induced EMT-like phenotypic changes in bladder cancer cells.Materials and methodsAll tissue samples in this study were obtained from clinical patients of the Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, and were confirmed by surgery and pathology. Of these, normal bladder tissues (control), primary urothelial carcinoma of different grades (Stage pTa, Stage pT3), bladder paracancerous tissues, accompanied with 2 bladder cancer cell lines (BIU-87 and T24), were divided into 6 groups. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical study of adhesion molecules Tβ4, ILK, E-cadherin, and β-catenin involved in EMT were carried out. A lentiviral gene transferring vector containing the RNA polymerase III-dependent U6 promoter to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) directed against Tβ4 was also applied. In the present study, all agents were evaluated using commercial kits.ResultsA strong correlation between the expression levels of Tβ4, ILK, E-cadherin, and β-catenin was found in the bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients. In the BIU-87 and T24 bladder cancer cells overexpressing Tβ4, which were accompanied by a loss of E-cadherin as well as a cytosolic accumulation of β-catenin, up-regulation of ILK was also revealed. The inhibition of the Tβ4 expression with lentiviral shRNA vector could raise EMT-like phenotypic changes, significantly depressed motility, and subsequent invasiveness of bladder cancer cells.ConclusionsOur results imply that the Tβ4 is likely to play a crucial role in EMT progression, and that inhibition of the Tβ4 expression or interactions with other genes should be novel therapeutic targets for bladder cancers with high invasive and metastatic potential.     

Status of emergency contraception in Malaysia

ＳｔａｔｕｓｏｆｅｍｅｒｇｅｎｃｙｃｏｎｔｒａｃｅｐｔｉｏｎｉｎＭａｌａｙｓｉａＫ．ＰａｎｉｋｋａｒＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＴｈｅＦｅｄｅｒａｔｉｏｎｏｆＦａｍｉｌｙＰｌａｎｎｉｎｇＡｓｓｏ－ｃｉａｔｉｏｎｓ，ＭａｌａｙｓｉａｉｓａｎＮＧＯｐｒｏｖｉ...     

Role of spinal cord TNF-α in the development of bone cancer pain in mice

Objective To investigate the role of spinal cord TNF-a in the development of bone cancer pain in mice. Methods Seventy-two 4-6 week old C3H/He mice weighing 18-25 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24 each) : group I sham operation (group S) ; group II bone cancer pain (group BCP) and group Ⅲ etanercept (group E). Bone cancer pain was induced by implantation of osteosarcoma NCTC 2472 cells into the intramedullary space of right femur in group II and Ⅲ . Group Ⅲ received intraperitoneal etanercept 100 μg at 3 days before and immediately before and day 3 and 6 after tumor cell inoculation. In group S culture medium α-MEM containing no cancer cell was injected instead. The paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli (PWMT) and paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimuli ( PWTL) were measured before inoculation (baseline) and at day 3, 5,7, 10, 14 after inoculation respectively. Eight animals were killed on the 7th, 10th, and 14th day after inoculation in each group. The spinal cords were removed and TNF-α mRNA expression in the spinal cord was determined by RT-PCR. Results Cancer pain was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with etanercept. The TNF-α mRNA expression in the spinal cord was significantly increased after inoculation and was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with etanercept in group Ⅲ . Conclusion Spinal cord TNF-a is involved in the development of bone cancer pain in mice.     

Role of spinal cord TNF-α in the development of bone cancer pain in mice

Objective To investigate the role of spinal cord TNF-a in the development of bone cancer pain in mice. Methods Seventy-two 4-6 week old C3H/He mice weighing 18-25 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24 each) : group I sham operation (group S) ; group II bone cancer pain (group BCP) and group Ⅲ etanercept (group E). Bone cancer pain was induced by implantation of osteosarcoma NCTC 2472 cells into the intramedullary space of right femur in group II and Ⅲ . Group Ⅲ received intraperitoneal etanercept 100 μg at 3 days before and immediately before and day 3 and 6 after tumor cell inoculation. In group S culture medium α-MEM containing no cancer cell was injected instead. The paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli (PWMT) and paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimuli ( PWTL) were measured before inoculation (baseline) and at day 3, 5,7, 10, 14 after inoculation respectively. Eight animals were killed on the 7th, 10th, and 14th day after inoculation in each group. The spinal cords were removed and TNF-α mRNA expression in the spinal cord was determined by RT-PCR. Results Cancer pain was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with etanercept. The TNF-α mRNA expression in the spinal cord was significantly increased after inoculation and was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with etanercept in group Ⅲ . Conclusion Spinal cord TNF-a is involved in the development of bone cancer pain in mice.     

Is intralesional injection of OK-432 effective in the treatment of lymphangioma in children?

BACKGROUND: Intralesional injection of OK-432 has been proposed as an effective treatment of lymphangioma. The aim of this study was to review our experience with OK-432 injection of lymphangioma and to identify factors associated with successful outcome. METHODS: We made a case note review of 19 children who received OK-432 injection. Median duration of follow-up was 17 months. RESULTS: Lesions were diagnosed antenatally in 4 children, at birth in 4 children, and between 1 month and 11 years in the remainder. Anatomic locations were head/neck in 14, axilla in 1, and multiple locations in 4. Median number of injections per child was 2 (range, 1 to 5). Disappearance of the lesion was achieved after OK-432 injection in 2 patients (11%) and a marked reduction in 5 (26%); all these lesions were in the head and neck. Lesions larger than 5 cm and those outside the head and neck region did not respond well to OK-432 injection. Fourteen children (74%) required surgical excision after injection. Complications of OK-432 injection included partial tracheal obstruction, fever, local inflammatory response, and abscess formation. CONCLUSIONS: OK-432 injection was effective in approximately one third of children with lymphangioma. Lesions outside the head and neck and those larger than 5 cm are unlikely to respond to this therapy. Injection of lymphangioma surrounding the airways may be hazardous.     

Biochemistry of implantation in the human

ＢｉｏｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙｏｆｉｍｐｌａｎｔａｔｉｏｎｉｎｔｈｅｈｕｍａｎＰａｕｌＢｉｓｃｈｏｆＴｈｅｂｉｏｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙｏｆｉｍｐｌａｎｔａｔｉｏｎＩｍｐｌａｎｔａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｐｌａｃｅｎｔａｔｉｏｎａｒｅｐｈｙｓｉｏ－ｌｏｇｉｃａｌｍｅｃｈａ...     

Chondromalacia of sesamoids in first metatarsophalangealjoint

The incidence of sesamoids in the first metatarsophalangeal joint is 100% and they are attached on the flexor hallucis brevis in the articular capsule. On the compulsory effect of extemal faclors, the feet receive unusual long-term loads and the sesumoids will exhibit the clinical symptoms such     

Evaluation of blood–testis barrier integrity in terms of adhesion molecules in nonobstructive azoospermia

Blood–testis barrier (BTB) is critical for maintaining fertility. The integrity of tight junctions (TJs) provides restricted permeability of BTB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BTB and Sertoli cells. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) obtained from nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients was examined: Group I (spermatozoa + ) and Group II (spermatozoa − ). The tissues were stained with haematoxylin eosin, periodic acid–Schiff and Masson's trichrome for Johnsen's score evaluation. Apoptosis and adhesion molecules such as claudin-11, occludin and ZO-1 were assessed. In Group I, the integrity of the seminiferous tubules was intact. In Group II, some seminiferous tubule walls were lined only with Sertoli cells, had a thickening of the basement membrane, and oedema in interstitial spaces. In Group I, the seminiferous tubule consisted of a stratified columnar epithelium, claudin-11 expressions were observed as linear staining in the basal zone of the tubule, while seminiferous tubules, with low epithelium, displayed a punctate type of staining. Immunohistochemical observations were consistent with the ultrastructural findings. In Group II, high apoptosis and unstained/irregular TJ formation in claudin-11, occludin and ZO-1 were observed. In conclusion, disruption of relation between BTB and TJs may reveal inadequate spermatogenesis, which is one of the mechanisms behind azoospermia.     

Applications of ultrasound in assisted reproduction

本文系“首届祖国大陆香港台湾生殖医学研讨会”大会报告 ,深受与会者欢迎 ,认为报告实用性强 ,对当前辅助生育技术开展有临床指导意义。现征得作者同意 ,本刊将英文原稿及译文同时刊出 ,以飨读者