Objective To investigate the correlation between body mass index (BMI),waist circumference (WC)and sperm quality parameters of male infertility.Methods 303 cases of male infertility patients including outpatients and inpatients were selected to measure height,weight and WC,and to group according to BMI standards,and sperm quality parameters of each group were detected simultaneously.Results Overweight,obese and severely obese group sperm concentration had very significant difference compared with normal weight group (t = 3.941,3.782,5.632,P <0.01);Overweight,obese and se-verely obese group total sperm count had significant difference compared with normal weight group (t = 2.117,2.655, 8.591,P <0.05 or 0.01).No difference between the normal weight and low weight group (t=0.668,P >0.05),sperm con-centration and total sperm count decreased with increasing BMI.Low weight group,overweight,obese and severely obese group were higher than normal sperm immobile body recombination,there were significant differences (t = 2.847,8.592, 8.472,5.380,P <0.05).Normal sperm morphology rate of abnormal weight and normal weight groups were significantly lower comparison,the difference was significant (t=2.356,5.968,5.156,5.993,P <0.05).Abnormal body weight of each group of sperm motility and normal weight group were significantly lower comparison,and there were significant differences (t=2.847,8.593,8.472,5.380,P < 0.05).Forward movement rate abnormal and normal body weight of each group re-structuring comparison were significantly lower,and there was a significant difference (t=2.432,11.816,9.588,13.528,P<0.05).Overweight,obese and severely obese group of sperm DNA fragmentation index were higher than the normal weight group,which the data showed a significant differences (t=6.168,7.238,9.309,P <0.05),while there was no statis-tical significance between low weight group and normal weight group (P >0.05).Conclusion Studies showed that the ab-normality of BMI and obesity could cause the changes in sperm parameters which might be an important mechanism of male infertility.

Objective To study the effect of the serum testosterone/estradiol ratio (T/E2) alteration on sperm defect and fertility. Methods The testosterone, estradiol, FSH, LH, PRL,sperm parameters and sperm morphology of 90 men were analyzed and the T/E2 and multiple anomalies index (MAI) were calculated. The patients were divided into 3 groups; T/E2≤10 (Ⅰ), T/E2＞10 (Ⅱ), and T/E2＞20 (Ⅲ). Results The sperm concentration and motility among the 3 groups were not significantly different (P＞0. 05). The percentages of the sperm whose head, neck and tail were abnormal declined gradually with the increase of the T/E2 in serum. The percentage of sperm head defeet of group Ⅰ was significantly higher than that of group Ⅲ (t=2. 482, P=0. 016) and that of sperm neck defect of groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly higher than that of group Ⅲ (t=4.113, 2. 050, P=0.000, 0. 046, respectively). The percentage of sperm tail defect among 3 groups was significantly different (t=2. 722, 3. 996, 3. 110, P=0. 008, 0. 000, 0. 003, respectively). The SDI of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than that of group Ⅰ (t= -2. 293, P= 0. 025). But the TZI increased gradually with the increase of the serum T/E2 and the TZI of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly higher than that of group Ⅰ (t=2. 285, 2. 727, P=0. 025, 0. 009, respectively). The percentage of the men in group Ⅰ whose partners became pregnant was 29. 5% and those of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were 50% and 42.9%, respectively. Although the percentage among three groups was not different statistically (x2 = 3. 285, 0. 854, 0. 199, P= 0. 070, 0. 355, 0. 655, respectively), the relative risks of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were 2.4 and 1.8 times of that of group Ⅰ. There were 25, 15, 7 cases of idiopathic infertility among the 3 groups, respectively. The relative risk of I group was 1.5 and 1.3 times of that of Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups. The correlation analysis showed that the T/E2 in serum had significantly negative correlation with the percent of the sperm head or neck or tail defects (r= -0. 209, -0. 316 and -0. 335,respectively and P= 0. 048, 0. 002 and 0. 001, respectively). Conclusions The decrease of T/E2 in serum was correlative with the decrease of fertility probability, but it did not alter the sperm density and the sperm motility. It showed that the level of the T/E2 in serum was important for spermatogenesis and sperm fertilizing capability.

BACKGROUND:Hydroxyapatite/gel nano-composite has the same mechanical strength to the natural bone, but its ability to repair bone defects and osteogenic effect need to be confirmed by further studies.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of hydroxyapatite/gel bionic composite in skul defects of rabbits.
METHODS: The hole-like calvarium defect models were established in rabbits, and treated with hydroxyapatite/ gel composites (hydroxyapatite/gel group), autologous skul as positive control (autologous bone group) and
nothing as negative control (blank group). The repairing condition in the skul defect areas were observed and analyzed by X-ray and CT at 4, 8, 12 weeks after implantation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 8 weeks, X-ray assessment showed that normal-like bone tissue appeared in the defect region of the autologous bone group; in the hydroxyapatite/gel group, dense bone with similar
morphology to normal bone tissue was found in the central site of defect region, and the boundary was slightly blurred. After 12 weeks, the hydroxyapatite/gel showed blurred edge compared with autologous bone, and the center of the composite was disconnected; in the blank group, a clear and regular transmitted shadow was
observed. After 12 weeks, CT examination showed that the hydroxyapatite/gel was connected tightly with the surrounding normal bone tissue. As a new bionic composite, the hydroxyapatite/gel can achieve good effect in repairing skul defects of rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive vascular ultrasound is used to assess in tima-media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaque, of which the result is better correlated to that of pathological examination. OBJECTIVE: Non-invasive vascular ultrasound was used to assess the hemodynamical changes of external and internal carotid in hypertensive elders, so as to investigate the relationship between pulse pressures, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), vascular resistance index (VRI) and shearing ratio. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, correlative analyzedstudy. SETTING: Ultrasound Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangshu University. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 54 hypertensive elders, including 33 males and 21 females, were recruited from the Ultrasound Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangshu University, from September 30th 2000 to March 30th 2002. Meanwhile 26 normotensive elders (systolic pressure ＜ 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic pressure ＜ 85 mm Hg), including 16 males and 10 females, were selected as controls, METHODS: Color duplex blood flow imaging technique was used to assess the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and the interventricular septum thickness (IVST), so as to calculate the LVMI. The insiddiameter of bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid,IMT, the systolic peak flow velocity and resistance index were measured in order to calculate the vascular shearing ratio and atheromatous plaque index,moreover arterial pressure, LVMI, as well as resistance index and shearing ratio were subjected to linear correlative analysis,of which the results were compared with that of control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Pulse pressure, LVMI and atheromatous plaque index of CCA. ② The inside diameter of bilateral CCA and internal carotid, IMT and the systolic peak flow velocity and resistance index were measured in order to calculate the atheromatous plaque index and maximum vascular shearing ratio. RESULTS: According to the experimental objective,data of all 80 cases were analyzed without loss. ① The pulse pressure and LVMI, the incidence of atheromatous plaque and plaque index of CCA in hypertensive elder group were obviously higher than that of control group [(64.36±7.44) mm Hg,(45.78±8.72) mm Hg; (131.47±18.73) g/m2, (83.28±12.34) g/m2; 5.62 ±1.78,3.44±1.10; 66.7％, 23.1％, (x2=13.37, t=5.730-13.234, P ＜ 0.01)]. ② The inside diameter of bilateral CCA and internal carotid, IMT and resistance index in hypertensive elders were significantly higher than that of control group [CCA: (8.96±1.20) mm, (8.08±0.96) mm; (1.28±0.88) mm, (0.91±0.17) mm;0.75±0.05, 0.69±0.06; ICA: (6.82±1.12) mm, (5.72±0.92) mm; (1.06±0.17) mm,(0.76±0.15) mm; 0.70±0.07, 0.64±0.06, t=2.872-10.850, P ＜ 0.01], but the systolic peak flow velocity and shearing ratio were markedly lower than that of control group [CCA: (47.44±12.85) cm/s, (60.20±14.32) cm/s;(225.78 ±95.76)/s, (300.26 ±110.42)/s. ICA: (41.22 ±10.18) cm/s,(48.64±11.58) cm/s; (268.54±112.56)/s, (324.52±121.42)/s, t=2.872-10.850, P ＜ 0.01]. ③ The pulse pressure, LVMI, the resistance index of CCA and ICA and shearing ratio were linearly correlated (r=0.30-0.36, P ＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pulse pressure and LVMI were found increased in hypertensive elders, together with carotid vessels dilated, IMT and resistance index increased, as well as shearing ratio decreased, atheromatous plaque formed, vascular stiffness increased, which resulted in consequently decrease of vascular compliance.

Objective To study the effects of CUEDC2 on renal interstitial fibrosis and inflammation response in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Methods 30 Balb/c rats were randomly distributed into sham operation group(sham-vector),uuo operation group(uuo-vector) and CUEDC2 treatment group after uuo (uuo-cuedc2). Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were used to measure renal pathology; Inflammation factors were quantified by ELISA; Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression of CUEDC2;Protein expression of CUEDC2, Fibronectin, E-cadherin, Collagen I were detected by Western Blot. Results At 7 and 14d after operation, the area of interstitial fibrosis and expression of ICAM1,MCP1,IL1,IL8, Fibronectin and Collagen I in uuo-cuedc2 showed a marked decrease when compared to uuo-vector (p?0.05),the level of E-cadherin was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion CUEDC2 can inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis and decrease the expression of inflammation factors and Collagen deposition.

Objective To discuss the expression level of CUEDC2 protein and its connection with 24 h urinary albumin and serum creatinine iu db/db mice with diabetic nephropathy.Methods db/db mice were selected as experimental groups (n =10),and db/m mice as control (n =10).All mice were fed in barrier facilities under the same conditions.At week 24,all were sacrificed and the samples were collected for analyses.The histological changes were assessed by Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining,periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Masson's trichrome (Masson) staining.The location and expression of CUEDC2 were measured by immunohistochemistry assays.24 h urinary albumin and serum creatinine were quantified by clinic lab in our hospital.Results Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CUEDC2 was mainly located in the medulla tubules plasma cells.The results of HE staining revealed that there appeared glomerular number decreased,atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration in the mice kidney of diabetic nephropathy group at the 24th week.The mesangial matrix expansion and renal tissue collagen deposition were significantly up-regulated in db/db mice compared with the normal control.As compared with the control group,the CUEDC2 protein expression and mRNA expression in db/db mice were significantly decreased than that in db/m mice (both P ＜ 0.05),and 24 h urinary albumin and serum creatinine were significantly increased.The correlation analysis showed CUEDC2 was negatively correlated with 24 h urinary albumin and serum creatinine (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression of CUEDC2 in diabetic nephropathy mice kidney is significantly decreased and negatively correlated with the levels of 24 h urinary albumin and serum creatinine.

Objective To assess the mortality and risk factors for stroke among dialysis patients with different dialysis modality. Methods 590 patients who underwent hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) from January 2008 to December 2012 were recruited in our study, and categorized according to dialysis modality. The prognostic risks of stroke were hazard ratio of risk was calculated by Cox regression analysis in HD and PD patients respectively. by the Kaplan?Meier curves or the Cox proportional hazards model. Results A total of 590 patients is under a median follow?up of 32.5 months. The stroke incidence rate of 49.2/1, 000 patient?years in total patients, and 74.1/1, 000 patient?years in HD patients, which was significantly higher compared with that of 31.8/1,000 patient?years in PD patients. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of stroke occurrence were age(HR=1.05;95%CI:1.02~1.09;P=0.003)、diabete(HR=1.98;95%CI:1.31~3.46;P=0.001)、CVD(HR=2.06;95%CI:1.62-3.05;P < 0.001)、Total triglycerides(HR = 1.20; 95% CI:1.08-1.58; P = 0.034) and hemodialysis (HR = 2.03; 95% CI:1.46-3.89; P = 0.005). Conclusions Age, diabete, CVD, total triglycerides and hemodialysis are independently associated with increased stroke risks in dialysis patients, which suggest that these patients should pay attention to weight control and glucose control.

Objective: To apply high-throughput whole genome sequencing (WGS) and short tandem repeat (STR) typing to detect aneuploidies, heteroploidies and copy number variations(CNVs) in spontaneous abortic tissues. Methods: Chorionic villus samples from 145 patients with spontaneous abortion were subjected to detection of aneuploidies, heteroploidies and copy number variations by WGS and STR typing. Results: All testing was successful and the rate of chromosomal abnormalities among the patients was 22.07%. Among these, there were 11 trisomies, 3 monosomies, 2 triploidies, 5 autosomal mosaicisms, 4 sex chromosomal mosaicisms, 7 structural abnormalities (including 1 mosaicism). In 89 cases, there were 130 CNVs of uncertain significance, 47 likely benign CNVs, and 2 loss of one copy of pathogenic AR gene. One sample contained 6 fragment duplications and deletions. Only 24 samples had no abnormal finding. Conclusion The most important reason for spontaneous abortions is embryonic chromosomal abnormality. Combined STR typing and WGS is both comprehensive and fast, and may become a major means for the detection of chorionic villi tissue from spontaneous abortions.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with developmental delay and mental retardation. METHODS: Chromosomal karyotype of the child was analyzed by G-, C- and N-banding techniques. Her genome DNA was analyzed with single nucleotide polymorphisms array (SNP array). The result was validated by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The karyotype of the child was ascertained as 46,XX,r(22)(p12q13). SNP array has revealed a deletion of approximately 1.4 Mb at 22q13.33 (49 802 963-51 197 766). The deletion has encompassed the SHANK3, a crucial gene for the development of nervous system. Fluorescence quantitative PCR has confirmed the deletion of exons 7, 19 and 22 of the SHANK3 gene. CONCLUSION The phenotype of the patient may be attributed to the microdeletion at 22q13.33. Cytogenetic methods combined with SNP array and fluorescence quantitative PCR can identify aberrant chromosomes and provide accurate information for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the immunogenicity, safety, and dosage of a new inactivated hepatitis A vaccine administered to young adults.

METHODSOne hundred and four normal adult volunteers, seronegative for hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B surface antigen, were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The high-dose group received a primary dose of 1000 units of the new vaccine, the low-dose group received a primary dose of 500 units of the same vaccine, and the Havrix group received a primary dose of 1440 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay units of Havrix, a licensed inactivated hepatitis A vaccine. All groups received a booster dose of the same vaccine 6 months after the primary dose. Local and systemic adverse reactions, seroconversion rates, and geometric mean titers of hepatitis A virus antibodies were measured in all three groups.

RESULTSLocal and systemic reaction types and rates were similar in all three groups after primary and booster doses, although local reactions were more frequent in the Havrix group following the primary dose. No serious adverse reactions occurred. One month after the primary dose, the seroconversion rate was 87.5% in the high-dose group, 70.0% in the low-dose group, and 50.0% in the Havrix group (P = 0.001, versus the high-dose group). At month 6 (before administration of the booster dose), seroconversion rates were 96.9% in the high-dose group, 65.0% in the low-dose group (P = 0.0029), and 68.8% in the Havrix group (P = 0.007). All subjects in all groups seroconverted by one month after receipt of the booster dose. Geometric mean titers were similar in all three groups at month 1, but were higher in the high-dose group (264 mIU/ml) than those in the Havrix group (135 mIU/ml) at month 6 (P = 0.0013). One month after the booster dose, geometric mean titers in the high-dose group (2747 mIU/ml) were higher than those in the low-dose group (1657 mIU/ml) (P = 0.0223) or in the Havrix group (1316 mIU/ml) (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThis new inactivated hepatitis A vaccine is immunogenic and safe; two doses of either 500 or 1000 units can induce hepatitis A virus antibodies well above the protection level.