The role of ezrin-associated protein network in human sperm capacitation

Membrane modifications in sperm cells represent a key step in sperm capacitation; however, the molecular basis of these modifications is not fully understood. Ezrin is the best-studied member of the ezrin/radixin/merlin family. As a cross-linker between the cortical cytoskeleton and plasma membrane proteins, ezrin contributes to remodeling of the membrane surface structure. Furthermore, activated ezrin and the Rho dissociation inhibitor, RhoGDI, promote the formation of cortical cytoskeleton-polymerized actin through Rho activation. Thus, ezrin, actin, RhoGDI, Rho and plasma membrane proteins form a complicated network in vivo, which contributes to the assembly of the structure of the membrane surface. Previously, we showed that ezrin and RhoGDI1 are expressed in human testes. Thus, we sought to determine whether the ezrin-RhoGDIl-actin-membrane protein network has a role in human sperm capacitation. Our results by Western blot indicate that ezrin is activated by phosphorylation of the threonine567 residue during capacitation. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that, during sperm capacitation, the interaction between ezrin and RhoGDI1 increases, and phosphostaining of two dimensional electrophoresis gels showed that RhoGDI 1 is phosphorylated, suggesting that RhoGDI 1 dissociates from RhoA and leads to actin polymerization on the sperm head. We speculate that activated ezrin interacts with polymerized actin and the glycosylated membrane protein cd44 after capacitation. Blocking sperm capacitation using ezrin- or actin-specific monoclonal antibodies decreases their acrosome reaction （AR） rate, but has no effect on the AR alone. Taken together, our results show that a network consisting of ezrin, RhoGDI1, RhoA, F-actin and membrane proteins functions to influence the modifications that occur on the membrane of the sperm head during human sperm capacitation.     

针刺量化手法治疗痤疮的疗效观察

目的:观察针刺量化手法对肺胃蕴热型患者痤疮患者的临床疗效。方法:将61例肺胃蕴热型痤疮患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,前者采用针刺量化手法的石氏捻转泻法,后者采用传统捻转泻法,连续3个疗程,观察两组患者痤疮的临床疗效。结果:治疗组总有效率90.3%,对照组总有效率83.3%,两组总有效率经卡方检验(P<0.01),差异有统计学意义。结论:针刺量化手法治疗痤疮明显优于传统捻转泻法,值得推广应用。     

食管间质瘤的诊断和治疗

目的：探讨食管间质瘤临床特征及诊治方法。方法：回顾分析我院诊治的1例及国内1994年-2010年报道的23例食管间质瘤的临床资料。结果：共24例,男14例,女10例;12-74岁,平均50.30岁;以食管梗阻为主要临床表现。恶性间质瘤16例,良性间质瘤7例,交界性1例;手术切除21例。平均随访14个月,死亡1例,无复发。结论：食管间质瘤较少见,确诊依赖病理免疫组化,手术是首选治疗方法。     

三种植骨融合方式在治疗腰椎滑脱症中的应用

目的 比较后路椎弓根螺钉系统固定加后外侧植骨融合(PLF)、椎间单纯植骨融合(PLIF)及环形植骨融合(PCF)治疗腰椎滑脱症的效果.方法 回顾性分析2003年1月至2008年12月收治且获得随访的232例腰椎滑脱患者的临床资料.手术均采用后路椎弓根螺钉系统固定,根据植骨方式不同分为后外侧植骨组(66例),椎间植骨组(54例)及环形植骨组(112例).比较三种植骨方式的融合率及临床症状改善情况.结果 患者均获随访,随访时间6个月～5年,平均2年7个月.后外侧植骨组融合率为80.1%,椎间植骨组融合率为92.5%,环形植骨组融合率为93.7%,三组融合率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).对于真性滑脱及≥Ⅱ度的退变性滑脱,后外侧植骨组融合率为60.7%,椎间植骨组融合率为90.0%,环形植骨组融合率为93.3%,三组融合率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);进一步比较,后外侧植骨组融合率与其他两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);而椎间植骨组融合率与环形植骨组比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).三组患者手术治疗后效果优良率分别为84.8%、90.7%和93.6%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 在椎弓根螺钉系统固定基础上,椎间植骨和环形植骨融合与后外侧植骨融合方式相比更符合生物力学,有更高的植骨融合率,对于腰椎滑脱应是首选的手术方式.     

The calcium‐sensing receptor and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D–1α‐hydroxylase interact to modulate skeletal growth and bone turnover

We examined parathyroid and skeletal function in 3‐month‐old mice expressing the null mutation for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D–1α‐hydroxylase [1α(OH)ase^?/?] and in mice expressing the null mutation for both the 1α(OH)ase and the calcium‐sensing receptor [Casr^?/?1α(OH)ase^?/?] genes. On a normal diet, all mice were hypocalcemic, with markedly increased parathyroid hormone (PTH), increased trabecular bone volume, increased osteoblast activity, poorly mineralized bone, enlarged and distorted cartilaginous growth plates, and marked growth retardation, especially in the compound mutants. Osteoclast numbers were reduced in the Casr^?/?1α(OH)ase^?/? mice. On a high‐lactose, high‐calcium, high‐phosphorus “rescue” diet, serum calcium and PTH were normal in the 1α(OH)ase^?/? mice but increased in the Casr^?/?1α(OH)ase^?/? mice with reduced serum phosphorus. Growth plate architecture and mineralization were improved in both mutants, but linear growth of the double mutants remained abnormal. Mineralization of bone improved in all mice, but osteoblast activity and trabecular bone volume remained elevated in the Casr^?/?1α(OH)ase^?/? mice. These studies support a role for calcium‐stimulated maturation of the cartilaginous growth plate and mineralization of the growth plate and bone and calcium‐stimulated CaSR‐mediated effects on bone resorption. PTH‐mediated bone resorption may require calcium‐stimulated CaSR‐mediated enhancement of osteoclastic activity. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research     

p21Waf1/Cip1 Polymorphisms and Risk of Esophageal Cancer

Background  

As the main downstream effecter of tumor suppressor p53, p21^Waf1/Cip1 functions as a unique link from p53 to cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair. In contrast to p53, p21^Waf1/Cip1 has general rare mutations. The natural genetic variants of p21^Waf1/Cip1 have thus emerged for study to enhance understanding of interindividual differences in cancer risk. Two polymorphisms in the p21 ^Waf1/Cip1 gene, i.e., codon 31 in the coding region and IVS2+16 in intron 2, have been identified and appeared to influence the expression of p21^Waf1/Cip1. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association of the above two variants, including one new single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 309 in the promoter region of p21 ^Waf1/Cip1 , with susceptibility to esophageal cancer (EC).     

Persistent retention of acetic acid is associated with complete tumour necrosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing percutaneous acetic acid injection

Background: Ultrasound (US)‐guided percutaneous acetic acid injection therapy (PAIT) is effective for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to determine the occurrence and predictive value of persistent intra‐tumoral retention of acetic acid after PAIT. Methods: We prospectively studied 60 (52 M, mean age 68?±?10 years) patients with 72 HCC nodules (45?≤?3?cm) treated with PAIT. The presence of post‐treatment persistent retention of acetic acid, defined as a homogeneous and highly hyperechoid mass in US appearance 3 days after completion of the treatment, was correlated with the treatment response. Results: The mean size of the treated tumour was 2.9?±?1.0?cm (range 1.5–5?cm). Thirty (42%) HCC nodules showed complete tumour necrosis demonstrated by contrast‐enhanced dynamic CT. Complete response was found in 22 (69%) of 32 nodules showing persistent intra‐tumoral retention of acetic acid (P?P?=?0.001). There were no significant differences of the injection volume and treatment sessions between those with and without complete tumour necrosis in either small or large (>3?cm) HCC (P?>?0.1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that persistent retention of acetic acid (odds ratio (OR) 10.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1–34.7; P?P?=?0.002) were independent factors predicting complete tumour necrosis. Conclusions: The presence of persistent retention of acetic acid is associated with a favourable response and may predict complete tumour necrosis after PAIT.     

Reliability of contemporary radiology to measure tumour size of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients undergoing resection: limitations and clinical implications

Background: Preoperative radiology has been widely used to detect and measure hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its accuracy and reliability are unclear. This study aimed to assess the ability of current radiology to measure tumour size in patients undergoing resection. Methods: We evaluated 212 HCC patients undergoing curative resection. Tumour size measured in the pathological examination was correlated with that obtained in preoperative ultrasound (US) and contrast‐enhanced dynamic computed tomography (CT). Accuracy and association with tumour recurrence were investigated. Results: The mean size of the tumour was 4.5?±?2.6?cm and was accurate in both US and CT in only 6 (3%) patients. Cirrhosis (P?=?0.015), absence of tumour stain (P?=?0.002) and small (≤ 4?cm) tumour (P?P?=?0.01), CT (RR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4, P?=?0.022) and both modalities (RR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.2, P?=?0.001), respectively, compared to 30% recurrence in patients with accurate estimation of tumour size. Conclusion: The accuracy of radiology in measuring tumour size was poor, and may lead to inappropriate treatment. The finding that underestimation of tumour size was associated with a higher tumour recurrence rate is consistent with the hypothesis that HCC may recur from pre‐existing tumour foci which could not be identified from the current imaging modalities.     

脉络宁治疗急性脑梗死的临床研究

目的:评价脉络宁治疗急性脑梗死(ACI)的临床疗效.方法:98例急性脑梗死患者随机分成治疗组和对照组.治疗组用脉络宁30ml每日一次静脉滴注,15天为1疗程,对照组采用通常的治疗方案.评价治疗前和治疗后的神经功能缺损评分.结果:治疗组与对照组比较,神经功能缺损评分改善显著(P<0.01),治疗组显效率高于对照组(P<0.01).结论:脉络宁治疗急性脑梗死比常规治疗效果好,并且安全、简便和可靠.     

金因肽联合康惠尔粉剂治疗高龄老年腹泻患者致肛周皮肤破溃的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨金因肽(通用名:重组人表皮生长因子外用溶液Ⅰ)与康惠尔粉剂联合治疗肛周皮肤破溃的疗效观察.方法:50例(98)处Ⅱ期或Ⅲ期肛周皮肤破溃患者随机分为两组,创血给予常规清创处理后,实验组创面先喷金因肽,待30秒钟后,轻轻挤弹康惠尔粉剂,将康惠尔粉剂撒在创而上;对照组创面直接轻轻挤弹康惠尔粉剂,将康惠尔粉剂撒在创面上.结果:实验组平均愈合时间为(5.8±2.4)d.较对照组愈合时间(10.1±1.9)d明显缩短(P<0.05).并且实验组疼痛程度减轻,创而渗出液明显减少(P<0.05).结论:金因肽与康惠尔粉剂联台治疗肛周皮肤破溃能够明显缩短溃疡面的愈合时间、有效的减少渗液,促进创面结疤、脱落、愈合,减少疤痕形成和色素沉着,减轻病人的痛苦.