Effect of Wuzi Yanzong Pills on Sertoli cells and blood–testis barrier in heat-stressed rats based on Akt signalling pathway

The blood–testis barrier (BTB) of Sertoli cells (SCs) is an important biological barrier that maintains spermatogenesis and provides a favourable microenvironment for spermatogenesis. However, heat stress can directly damage the BTB structural proteins of testicular SCs, leading to dyszoospermia. Wuzi Yanzong Pills (WYP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to treat male reproductive diseases. However, whether WYP could ameliorate heat stress injury in primary SCs extracted from rat testes and BTB proteins remains unknown. Here, treatment with WYP (low, medium and high dose) increased the SC viability and the proliferation of cell antigen Ki67 significantly. Additionally, it promoted SC maturation, which presented in the form of increased androgen receptors (ARs) and decreased cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) in three WYP dose groups. WYP upregulated BTB proteins such as zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and occludin across all WYP groups and decreased phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in the middle and high-dose groups; however, ZO-1 and occludin recovery were reduced with the presence of Akt inhibitor in WYP groups. WYP improved SC viability and proliferation, and ameliorated dedifferentiation and BTB-proteins damaged by heat stress via Akt signalling. The findings present theoretical support for the effects of WYP in the management of dyszoospermia and male infertility.     

Updates on bacterial resistance and empirical antibiotics treatment of complicated acute appendicitis in children

Objective: Through historical comparison with our previous study published 10 years ago, this paper aims to provide latest analysis of local bacteriology of acute complicated appendicitis and evaluate the effects of early escalation of potent antibiotics on course of postoperative recovery.Methods: A 5-year retrospective review of all children receiving emergency laparoscopic appendicectomies for acute appendicitis from December 2014 to November 2019 was conducted.Results: 257 cases of acute appendicitis were included, 126 were complicated appendicitis (38 gangrenous, 88 ruptured). 96 had positive peritoneal swab culture, 53 (42.1%) grew resistant bacterial strains, including extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli (ESBL E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, against traditional empirical triple antibiotics. The prevalence had significantly increased over the past decade (p = 0.008). In our patients, piperacillin/tazobactam, ertapenem, gentamicin provided coverage of 69.8%, 45.3% and 45.3% respectively. For patients with early escalation of postoperative antibiotics, no statistical significance was identified in terms of postoperative complications (p = 0.883), or duration of antibiotics (p = 0.0615).Conclusion: Growing prevalence of resistant strains were observed over the decade. Piperacillin/tazobactam provided the best coverage (69.8%) against resistant bacterial strains in our patients. Early escalation of antibiotics failed to reduce postoperative complications and antibiotics duration.Type of Study: Clinical Research, Retrospective Historical Comparative StudyLevel of Evidence: Level III     

Metastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the breast: A case report and literature review

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common malignancy in children, but embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) deposits rarely occur in the breast in adults. Therefore, little is known about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of breast metastases from RMS, especially the embryonal type. We reported a case of a 22-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ERMS at left foot 2 years ago and accepted operation and chemotherapy. She was confirmed to have breast metastases from the left foot. Successive imaging examinations were performed 3 months apart. Breast ultrasound indicated a benign lesion, and further examination did not reveal any bone metastases. However, predominant restricted diffusion and rim contrast enhancement on MRI combined with the patient's medical history suggested a malignancy of BI-RADS 5. After 3 months, breast ultrasound revealed masses detected last time became larger and lobulated. In addition, internal heterogeneous intensity and rim contrast enhancement with restricted diffusion were revealed on MRI. We speculated that typical MRI findings of breast metastases from RMS may include iso- to hypointensity on T1WI, heterogeneous hyperintensity on T2WI, and circular enhancement with restricted diffusion. Moreover, mild peritumoral edema, rapid expansion of necrosis, and ascending time-intensity curve detected on MRI may be features of the ERMS type.     

Effects of bariatric surgery on patients with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

BackgroundBariatric surgery is effective for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while the exact mechanism remains unclear.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of bariatric surgery on PCOS patients and further explore the possible mechanism.SettingA meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify relevant studies published before November 2020.ResultsTwenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria, and we identified 552 patients with PCOS study. Results showed that the prevalence of preoperative PCOS, menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, infertility, and depression significantly decreased after bariatric surgery. Levels of total testosterone, fasting insulin, and luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased and estradiol increased, while levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH did not show significant changes during the 3-month follow-up. There were decreases in testosterone and fasting insulin levels when the postoperative follow-up time was 6 months or ≥12 months. Levels of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides were significantly reduced after 6 months or ≥12 months of bariatric surgery. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) significantly improved ≥12 months after bariatric surgery.ConclusionSymptoms of PCOS and related complications are significantly alleviated after bariatric surgery. In addition, we found a significant improvement on anomalous secretion of gonadotropins, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in patients with PCOS after bariatric surgery.     

Preparation of Iron Carbon Composite Material by Extracting Iron from Bauxite Residue and Its Adsorption of Heavy Metal Cd(II)

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - An effective method of iron extraction from bauxite residue was explored, and iron was used to prepare iron carbon composite material, which...     

Beta-adrenergic stimulation of calcium channels occurs by potentiation of high-activity gating modes.

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation clearly increases current through cardiac L-type Ca channels, but the molecular manifestation of this effect remains controversial. Previous work implicates either an increase in the number of functional channels or graded changes in the gating of individual channels. We now find that single cardiac Ca channels display three patterns of activity ("modes") and that isoproterenol or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate redistributes the relative proportions of modes such that the two most active (mode 1, bursts of brief openings; mode 2, very long-lasting openings) are favored (P less than 0.05; n = 7). Conversely, a pattern of sparse brief openings (mode 0a) is selectively inhibited (P less than 0.01). Despite differences in the relative frequencies of the various modes before and during drug exposure, the gating within each mode is not detectably changed. We conclude that potentiation of highly active modes of Ca channel gating underlies the enhancement of calcium influx by beta-adrenergic stimulation.     

冷冻同种异体骨段移植修复股骨近段大块骨缺损

为观察大块冷冻同种异体骨移植后免疫功能的改变及预后,对13例恶性骨肿瘤瘤段切除后的骨缺损10.8～19.4cm(平均为14.6cm),分别采用冻冷异体松质骨段移植的髋关节加压融合术(6例)和异体股骨近段半关节移植成形术(7例)修复.10例分别于术前4天及术后14和28天检测其空腹外周血各项免疫学指标,以及术后3、6、9、12、24、48个月进行99mSPECT骨扫描(5例)和X-线片检查(12例),以观察宿主的免疫反应和异体骨愈合情况.结果:①外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(OKT3+,OKT4+,OKT8+)及血清补体(C3,C4)和循环免疫复合物(CiC)手术前后比较无显著性差异(P>0.05).②99mTe SPECT骨扫描显示:术后3～6个月移植的异体骨两端及髓腔内同位素浓集明显低于正常,而异体骨两端所对应的自体骨端同位素浓集明显高于正常,此现象于植入后9个月开始减弱,可达数年.X线片显示:异体骨愈合率为92.3%(12/13),2例移植的异体松质骨段于术后4～6年完全成活替代.以上可见:①冻冷异体骨段移植后宿主的全身免疫机能改变不明显,其反应是以局部炎症为主的细胞免疫过程;②异体骨可做为修复大块骨缺损的良好材料.     

McAb共刺激PBLs淋巴细胞在培养体系中的状态及超微结构的 …

通过用抗ＣＤ３,ＣＤ２８＋ＣＤ８０ ＭｃＡｂ激活健康人的ＰＢＬｓ,并以ＰＨＡ,ＩＬ－２,ＰＢＬｓ为对照组;对各组不同时间段的淋巴细胞超微结构进行观察。结果提示：ＣＤ３及ＣＤ２８＋ＣＤ８０刺激淋巴细胞增殖外,也能使淋巴细胞活化,细胞表现为胞体增大,细胞器增多,具有粗大的绒毛和突出伪足,并可见单核细胞吞噬活跃。