[Objective]To investigate associations between the functional polymorphisms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene and preeclampsia.[Methods]PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to genotype rs10181656 and rs16833431 local polymorphism in 228 preeclampsia cases and 179 normal controls.[Results](1)The frequencies of rs10181656C/G were 35.96%,46.37%in genotype C/C,47.81%,44.69%in genotype C/G and 16.23%,8.94%in genotype G/G between preeclampsia patients and normal controls. They reached statistical difference (P = 0.031). There was different distribution in two alleles(C and G)between preeclampsia patients and normal controls(P=0.009).(2)There was no different distribution in 3 genotypes(C/C,C/T,T/T)and 2 alleles(C and T)of rs16833431 C/T between preeclampsia patients and normal controls(P =0.508,0.461).[Conclusions]Functional polymorphisms of the rs10181656 locus could associate with the preeclampsia. The polymor-phisms of the rs16833431 locus could not associate with the preeclampsia.

Objective To investigate JC virus(JCV) infection in kidney transplant recipients and its influence on graft function and also initially explore JCV infection factors. Methods A total of 49 kidney transplant recipients and 24 health examination persons were enrolled in our study, JCV DNA was measured using nested qualitative polymerase chain reaction assays of urine, while CMV DNA was measured by common qualitative polymerase chain reaction assays of urine. JCV infection factors, such as age, male, immunosuppressive therapy, cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection were analyzed by Binary Logistic Regression, and glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was selected as a index of kidney function and the difference of GFR between JCV-infected and non-infected patients was compared using t test. Results JCV was detected in 42.9% of kidney transplant patients and 4.2% health examination persons. CMV infection and Pred + MMF + CsA triple immunosuppressive regimen were found to be the risk factors of JCV infection. No difference of GFR was observed between JCV infected and non-infected patients (86.470 ± 29.990 and 84.060 ± 33. 729 for each; t =0. 259, P =0.797). Conclusion JCV is frequently detected in kidney transplant recipients. CMV infection and using of Pred + MMF + CsA triple immunosuppressive regimen can significantly increase the risk of JCV infection. While, graft function was not influenced by JCV infection in kidney transplant patients.

Objective To compare seminal carnitine levels between normal males and asthenozoospermic patients,evaluate its correla-tion with progressive motility(PR)of sperm,and observe the effects of exogenous carnitine supplementation on asthenozoospermic pa-tients.Methods Semen samples were collected from 511 normal fertile males and asthenozoospermic patients.Seminal was measured using a fixed-time assay kit and the levels of carnitine were compared between the two groups.The consistency between seminal carni-tine and PR was assessed.Additionally,77 asthenozoospermic patients received L-carnitine(1 g/time,3 times/day,30 days/course).The levels of seminal carnitine and PR alteration pre-and post-treatment were monitored.Results The seminal L-carnitine level in the patients with asthenospermia([194.34±65.41]μmol/L)was significantly lower than that in normal fertile males([405.43±72.12]μmol/L)(P＜0.01).When the seminal L-carnitine level ≥325 μmol/L was set as the threshold,the statistical results showed that Kappa value was 0.81,with a diagnostic coincidence rate of 93.74％.After one course of administration of L-carnitine,the concentra-tion of seminal L-carnitine([356.03±84.87]μmol/L)and PR([32.69±8.35]％)were significantly higher those that before treat-ment([183.61±79.54]μmol/L and[16.56±7.74]％,P＜0.01).Conclusion The seminal carnitine assay kit could be used for ac-curate and high-throughput quantification of clinical samples,facilitating asthenozoospermia diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy evalua-tion.Exogenous carnitine supplementation may elevate seminal carnitine levels and sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients and po-tentially improve their fertility.