Efficacy of Crocus sativus L. on reduction of cadmium‐induced toxicity on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal element, which probably cause infertility by impairment in spermatogenesis. The present work aimed (i) to study the toxic effect of cadmium on spermatogenesis in rat, as well as (ii) the protective effect of Crocus sativus L. on cadmium‐intoxicated rats. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally during 16 days at intervals of 48 h between subsequent treatments. Crocus sativus L. was pre‐treated in both of control and cadmium‐injected rats. Animals were sacrificed on day 17 after the first treatment. The left cauda epididymis was removed and immediately immersed into Hank's balanced salt solution for the evaluation of sperm count and viability, and left testis was fixed in 10% formalin for histological evaluation. Following contamination with cadmium, a decrease was observed in the number and viability of cauda epididymis sperm, which were increased by Crocus sativus L. pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, cadmium decreased both cell proliferation and Johnsen Scores in the seminiferous tubules, which were reversed by Crocus sativus pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, cadmium‐induced decrease in the amount of free serum testosterone as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation activity in the testicular tissue was reversed by Crocus sativus L. (P < 0.05). These findings may support the concept that Crocus sativus L. can improve the cadmium toxicity on spermatogenesis.     

Ultrastructural localization of human platelet thrombospondin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor in frozen thin section

We have investigated the localization of thrombospondin (TSP), fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor in human platelets by transmission electron microscopy of antibody-stained ultrathin frozen sections. In negatively stained thin sections, alpha granules were identified on the basis of their smooth, roughly spherical shape, size, single limiting electron-lucent 100 A membrane, and frequent presence of electron-dense nucleoid. In contrast, mitochondria exhibited characteristic double membranes and cristae. Sections were separately stained with affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to these proteins as well as with three monoclonal anti-TSP antibodies. Antibody specificity was documented in radioimmunoassays, by immunofluorescent cross-blocking, and by staining of bands of appropriate mobility in Western blots of whole platelets. Bound antibody was visualized using a 5-nm colloidal gold-avidin conjugate. In resting cells, staining of virtually all alpha granules was observed for all four proteins. In contrast, consistent staining was absent from other organelles, including plasma membranes, mitochondria, and vacuolar structures that may represent the open canalicular system.     

Fibronectin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets: evidence for fibrin(ogen) independent and dependent pathways

Plasma fibronectin binds in a specific and saturable manner to thrombin- stimulated platelets. gamma-Thrombin stimulated 80% as much fibronectin binding to platelets as alpha-thrombin with conversion of less than or equal to 1% of platelet fibrinogen to fibrin. Afibrinogenemic and normal platelets bound similar quantities of fibronectin in the presence of calcium or magnesium-ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid (EGTA). These observations indicate that fibronectin can interact with platelets without involvement of fibrin or fibrinogen. Nevertheless, two different effects of fibrin(ogen) on fibronectin binding were observed. First, exogenous fibrinogen inhibited fibronectin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets. This inhibition was unidirectional, as fibronectin did not inhibit fibrinogen binding to ADP or thrombin- stimulated cells. Second, formaldehyde-fixed cells with surface- associated fibrin bound significant quantities of fibronectin. This interaction required calcium and did not occur on fixed cells with or without surface-bound fibrinogen. A portion of the ligand bound to fixed cells with surface-associated fibrin was modified to form a derivative with a molecular weight identical to that of the fibronectin subunit cross-linked to the alpha-chain of fibrin. This high mol wt derivative was also observed to a variable extent with living cells in the presence of magnesium or calcium but not in the presence of magnesium-EGTA. Thus, fibronectin binds to platelets by at least two mechanisms: (1) a fibrin(ogen)-independent pathway that requires divalent ions and is inhibited by exogenous fibrinogen; and (2) a fibrin-dependent pathway with an absolute calcium requirement. With nonaggregated, thrombin-stimulated platelets, the former pathway appears to predominate.     

Dental caries and erosion status of 12-year-old Hong Kong children

Background

We examined the association of alcohol use disorders (AUD) with adherence to and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV/AIDS patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional multi-site survey was conducted in 468 drug users and 648 non-drug users (age: 35.4 ± 7.0 years; 63.8% male) in 3 epicentres of Vietnam. AUD, ART adherence, and HRQOL were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C), the self-reported Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-HIV BREF).

Results

35.0% of drug users were hazardous drinkers, compared to 25.9% of non-drug users. 22.3% of drug users engaged in binge drinking, and 25.9% reported suboptimal ART adherence. Adjusting for propensity scores of AUD, patients who had either at-risk or binge drinking behaviour were about twice as likely to be treatment non-adherent as those who did not have AUD. Hazardous drinkers reported small to medium decrements in the Performance, Physical, Social, Spirituality, and Environment quality of life domains. Binge drinkers had a slightly higher score in Social dimension.

Conclusion

AUD is prevalent and negatively affecting adherence to and HRQOL outcomes of ART services in injection-driven HIV epidemics. Screening and intervention are recommended for AUD, especially during the stable periods of ART. Other social and psychological interventions might also enhance patients’ responses to and outcomes of ART in Vietnam.     

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung: A newly defined peripheral pulmonary tumor with conspicuous mucin pool mimicking colloid adenocarcinoma: A case report and review of literature

We report the case of a 68‐year‐old man with a newly defined rare entity of a peripheral pulmonary tumor, consisting of a nodular papillary lesion with papillary structures containing ciliated columnar and goblet cells, as well as floating tumor cells in the mucin pool. The conspicuous mucin pool was observed to be mimicking colloid adenocarcinoma in a low‐power view, particularly in a frozen section slide. We originally reported it as an adenocarcinoma during intraoperative consultation. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells exhibited a similar immunophenotype to pulmonary adenocarcinoma, except for the presence of focal ciliated and basaloid cells, which we found using CK5/6 and P63 immunostaining. No KRAS or EGFR mutation was found. We revised the diagnosis to that of a ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT). Four years after a wedge resection, the patient remained free of tumors. Although the malignant potential of CMPT cannot be ignored, a wedge resection with a safe margin might be a treatment option for CMPT patients.     

乙型肝炎病毒基因的整合机制及对宿主的影响

乙型肝炎病毒是导致慢性肝炎、肝纤维化、肝细胞癌的主要病因,目前认为乙型肝炎病毒基因整合在其致病机制中具有重要作用,本文试就该领域内目前研究成果做一综述．     

O等位基因引起ABO基因型与表现型定型差异

保证输血时血清学方面的安全,首要的是对受血者与献血者ABO血型定型,血清学检查通常分两个步骤.正定型通常使用鼠源单克隆抗体检测红细胞表面是否存在A或B抗原.互补的实验即反定型,利用当红细胞上缺乏A或B抗原时,人群可天然产生相对应的抗体的原理,检测血清中是否存在抗-A或者抗-B抗体.确定了受血者红细胞表面的ABO抗原以及血浆中的抗体,便能确定血型,为其提供相合的血液.     

O等位基因引起ABO基因型与表现型定型差异

保证输血时血清学方面的安全,首要的是对受血者与献血者ABO血型定型,血清学检查通常分两个步骤.正定型通常使用鼠源单克隆抗体检测红细胞表面是否存在A或B抗原.互补的实验即反定型,利用当红细胞上缺乏A或B抗原时,人群可天然产生相对应的抗体的原理,检测血清中是否存在抗-A或者抗-B抗体.确定了受血者红细胞表面的ABO抗原以及血浆中的抗体,便能确定血型,为其提供相合的血液.     

Neurological symptoms in children with intussusception

Aim:  The classical combination of abdominal pain, vomiting, rectal blood loss and a palpable abdominal mass is only present in a minority of children with intussusception. Neurological signs and symptoms have been described, but are not a well understood phenomenon. We performed a retrospective study to ascertain the frequency and nature of these symptoms and to describe the characteristics of the patients presenting in this atypical way.
Methods:  The records of 58 children presenting with intussusception from 2003 to 2008 were reviewed for abdominal and neurological signs and symptoms, duration of symptoms and effectiveness of treatment.
Results:  In 10 out of 58 patients (17%), one or more neurological symptoms were recorded at presentation, with lethargy being the most frequent, followed by hypotonia and fluctuating consciousness. The patients with neurological abnormalities were significantly younger and presented with a shorter duration of symptoms. Therapy was more invasive, although not statistically significant, in this patient category.
Conclusion:  Intussusception should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young children presenting with lethargy, hypotonia and/or sudden alterations of consciousness even in the absence of the classical symptoms of intussusception.