Globozoospermia is a rare and serious teratozoospermia, which is one of the important causes contributing to human male infertility. The assisted reproductive technique remains the only means for such patients to produce offspring. However, the pathogenesis of globozoospermia is not yet clear. In recent years, related studies have shown that some genes are connected with the onset of globozoospermia. This paper outlines the progress in the studies of pathogenicity genes, aiming to contribute to the molecular diagnosis and mechanism investigation of the disease.
Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Sperm Head ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities

Objective To study the effect of serum uric acid (UA) levels on kidney graft function as well as long-term graft survival after renal transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 859 kidney transplant recipients from Jan.2008 to May 2014 were investigated retrospectively.The differences in clinical indexes between normal UA group and hyperuricemia group were compared based on UA levels.Cox regression model was built to analyze the effect of elevated UA on overall graft loss,death censored graft failure and death of patients,respectively.Kaplan-Meier graft survival curve was used to compare the overall graft loss,death censored graft failure and death of patients between normal UA group and hyperuricemia group.Results The average follow-up time was 38.6 ± 17.3 months for 859 kidney transplant recipients.590 (68.7％) recipients were enrolled in normal UA group and 269 (31.3％) recipients were defined as hyperuricemia patients.The average eGFR in hyperuricemia group was significantly decreased as compared with normal UA group (79.4 ± 20.93 vs.94.7 ± 20.55,P＜0.001).Cox regression model showed that if UA level increased per 10 mol/L,the risk of overall graft lost increased 1.070 times (P＜0.001) and the risk of death censored graft failure increased 1.121 times (P＜0.001) accordingly.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the overall graft loss was dramatically decreased (P =0.009),and the death censored graft failure was significantly decreased (P＜0.0001) in hyperuricemia group as compared with that in normal UA group.The death of patients showed no significant difference between two groups (P =0.638).Conclusion Serum UA levels after kidney transplantation affect graft function as well as long-term graft survival.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporin A (CyA) therapy in 83 children with nephrotic syndrome of different pathological types.

METHODSEighty-three children enrolled in this study were all hospitalized children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, aged 3 to 14 yrs (average 8.3 yrs) and included 52 males and 31 females. There were 35 cases with steroid-dependent, 17 with steroid resistant and 26 with frequent relapses. CyA was given to each patient with dosage of 5 mg/(kg.d) during the corticosteroid was diminished. The renwal biopsy was performed in all patients before the administration of CyA. The duration of CyA therapy lasted for about 3 to 6 months. The plasma concentration of CyA was monitored.

RESULTSEighty-three children with nephrotic syndrome of different pathological types were treated with CyA, including 42 cases of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 31 cases of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN), 5 cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and 4 cases of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). All the 83 patients tolerated well to the CyA treatment. Forty-five cases got complete remission, 23 partial remission, 15 cases no change after one month treatment with CyA in the hospital. The overall response rate was 82%. Patients with different renal pathological types showed different responses. Among them, MCNS and MsPGN exhibited the best response rates of 86% and 84%, respectively; MPGN cases showed a lower response rate and FSGS cases showed the lowest rate. The response time was 7 to 45 days. The blood concentration of CyA was monitored for 1 week and 2 weeks after the drug was given. The effective drug concentration was maintained at 100 to 200 microg/L, and the course lasted for 3 to 6 months. During the follow-up of 83 cases, in 17 of 68 cases the disease relapsed when therapy was tapered or discontinued. The relapse rate was 25%. The results indicated that CyA would be effective to the relapsed cases. The serum creatinine increased temporarily after administration of CyA in 5 cases, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in 8 cases and eventually reached the normal range after the adjustment of dosage. The side effects included anorexia, nausea, vomiting and so on.

CONCLUSIONCyA is one of the effective substitutes for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome, especially for the cases with MCNS and MsPGN. And CyA could control refractory nephrotic syndrome effectively and rapidly. The clinical effect was related to the blood concentration of CyA and pathological types.

Adolescent ; Anorexia ; chemically induced ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclosporine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

Objective To investigate the impact of genetic and environmental factors on mental health status in adolescents twins. Methods A total of 52 pairs of twins aged 11 years were recruited with support from educational committees and school. After the guardians of these twins had signed an informed consent form,the Chinese version growth and the state of health evaluation (Development and Well-Bing Assessment,DAWBA) carries on twins' mental health growth condition investigation to the twins of Age greater than 11-year-old,and focus on a-nalysis of DAWBA youth-assessment version of more than 11-year-old twins. Buccal mucosa samples were collected from all twins for DNA extraction and zygosity identification test. Results The mood, the behavior symptom and the symptom produced the influence of the DAWBA and in the computer diagnosis' s result showed that the intra-pair correlation coefficience of the emotional disorder(rMZ=0, 200, P = 0. 28; r DZ = 0. 198, P = 0. 447) (MZ means was monozygotic,DZ means was dizygotie, r means was correlation), the special phobia symptom(r MZ = 0.440, P = 0.013;rDZ =0.419, P=0.094),the social phobia (rMZ =0.2%, P = 0. 106; r DZ = -0.119, P = 0.648),the depressive symptom (rMZ =0.556, P=0.001; rDZ = -0.254, P=0.325), and the oppositional/con-duct disorder(rMZ =0.503, P = 0.014; rDZ = -0.270, P = 0.295),eating disorder(r MZ =0.764, P=0.046; rDZ = -0.091, P=0.728) in Monozygotic twins was more remarkable than that in dizygotie twin. Conclusion The genetic factors play the vital role in affects in the child twins' mental health growth.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the colouration of zirconia ceramic by adding three kinds of rare earth oxides. The influence of the pigments concentration on the mechanical properties and the microstructure was also analyzed.

METHODSAdded different concentrations of CeO(2), Er(2)O(3) and Pr(6)O(11) in tetragonal zirconia poly crystals stabilized with 3 mol% yttria (3Y-T2P) powder, compacted at 200 MPa using cold isostatic pressure, and sintered to 1 400 degrees C. The heating rate was 150 degrees C/h and the dwelling time was 2 hours. The chromaticity of sintered bodies was measured with chroma meter. The relative density, hardness, flexure strength and fracture toughness were investigated as well. The phase stability of the colorized and pure zirconia was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using an automated diffractometer. The microstructures of the specimens were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSSeveral kinds of color achieved by the different pigments praseodym oxide, cerium oxide and erbium oxide were presented in the CIELab system. The a* value increased with the added amount of Er(2)O(3), while b* value rose with the increasing amount of CeO(2) and Pr(6)O(11). However, three pigments failed to decrease L* value and the sintered body appeared too bright. Adding three pigments influenced flexure strength of zirconia ceramic significantly, but had little influence on the hardness and fracture toughness. Microscopy revealed the relationship between the porosity and shapes of grains was correlated to strength of the diphase ceramics. No additional phase could be detected by XRD, except t-ZrO(2) in all colorized samples after sintering at 1 400 degrees C for 120 min.

CONCLUSIONSZirconia ceramic can be colorized by CeO(2), Er(2)O(3), and Pr(6)O(11). Pigments even in a small amount influence the mechanical properties of the colorized zirconia material, which necessitates further investigation.

Coloring Agents ; pharmacology ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Metals, Rare Earth ; pharmacology ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Prosthesis Coloring ; Zirconium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo screen effective sequences of small interfering RNA targeting MDR1 gene in human gastric cancer SGC7901/VCR cells.

METHODSFour siRNAs (MDR1si326, MDR1si1513, MDR1si2631 and MDR1si3071) targeting MDR1 gene were designed and synthesized by in vitro transcription. The siRNA duplexes were used to transfect into the human gastric cancer SGC7901/VCR cells. The expression level of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The accumulation of intracellular adriamycin (ADR) was examined by flow cytometry and the cell sensitivity to ADR was demonstrated by MTT.

RESULTSThe SGC7901/VCR cells treated with 4 siRNAs led to reversal effect on multidrug resistance to different extents. Among the SGC7901/VCR cells treated by siRNAs for 48 h, the expression level of MDR1 mRNA in cells of MDR1si326 or MDR1si2631 group (0.42 +/- 0.07 or 0.49 +/- 0.02) was more decreased than that in cells of MDR1si1513 or MDR1si3071 group (P < 0.05). The accumulation of ADR in cells of MDR1si326 group was the most; in cells of MDR1si2631 group, more; in cells of MDR1si3071 group, lower and in cells of MDR1si1513 group, the lowest (P < 0.05). The relative reversal efficiency of cells of MDR1si2631 group to ADR was the highest and in cells of MDR1si326 group, higher (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative reversal efficiency between the cells of MDR1si1513 and MDR1si3071 groups (P > 0.05). The expression level of P-gp in cells of MDR1si326 group was the lowest among the SGC7901/VCR cells treated by siRNAs for 72 h.

CONCLUSIONThe MDR1si326 with most, MDR1si2631 with more, MDR1si3071 with less and MDR1si1513 with least reversal effects on MDR1 gene mediated multidrug resistance were found in the human gastric cancer SGC7901/VCR cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Genes, MDR ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell apoptosis.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cell growth inhibition was measured by the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of cytochrome c, caspase-3, AIF, Bcl-2 and Bax expression.

RESULTSNCTD inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The cells treated with NCTD showed the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of caspase-3, cytochrome c, AIF, and Bax were up-regulated after NCTD treatment at different doses. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased after treatment with NCTD.

CONCLUSIONSNCTD could induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. The activation of the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the process of NCTD-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo approach the associated mechanism by which alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) might regulate the metabolism of dopamine.

METHODSA DNA fragment, located at -495 to +25 of the human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene, was amplified by PCR and inserted into the pGL(3)-Basic luciferase reporter vector. The recombinant plasmid pGL(3)-THprom was transfected into a dopaminergic cell line MES23.5 or a alpha-Syn over-expressed MES23.5 (named MES23.5/halpha-Syn(+)). The promoter activity was detected by the Dual Luciferase Assay System.

RESULTSThe luciferase activities in the MES23.5 cells transfected with pGL(3)-Basic, pGL(3)-THprom, and pGL(3)-Control vectors were 5.60+/-0.67, 26.80+/-4.11, and 32.90+/-4.75, respectively. On the other hand, the luciferase activity of pGL(3)-THprom in the MES23.5 (26.80+/-4.11) was significantly higher than that in the MES23.5/halpha-Syn(+) (14.40+/-0.61) (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the - 495 to +25 region in the TH gene possesses promoter activity for controlling the gene expression, and that alpha-Syn may negatively regulate the metabolism of dopamine by affecting the function of TH promoter as a trans-acting factor.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dopamine ; biosynthesis ; Down-Regulation ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; genetics ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hybridomas ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Mice ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Rats ; Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional ; genetics ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Transfection ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; alpha-Synuclein ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of two-step sintering method on the sintering property, mechanical properties and microstructure of zirconia ceramic.

RESULTSThe nano-size zirconia powder were compacted and divided into two groups, one group for one-step sintering method, another group for two-step sintering method. All samples sintered at different temperature. The relative density, three-bend strength, HV hardness, fracture toughness and microstructure of sintered block were investigated.

RESULTSTwo-step sintering method influenced the sintering property and mechanical properties of zirconia ceramic. The maximal relative density was 98.49% at 900 degrees C/1,450 degrees C sintering temperature. There were significant difference of mechanical properties between one-step sintering and two-step sintering, the three-bend strength and fracture toughness declined, hardness increased at two-step sintering. The three-bend strength, HV hardness and fracture toughness reached to maximum value as 1,059.08 MPa +/- 75.24 MPa, 1,377.00 MPa +/- 16.37 MPa and 5.92 MPa x m1/2 +/- 0.37 MPa x m1/2 at 900 degrees C/1,450 degrees C sintering temperature respectively. Microscopy revealed the relationship between the porosity and shapes of grains was correlated to strength of the zirconia ceramics.

CONCLUSIONDespite of the two-step sintering method influences the properties of zirconia, it also is a promising esthetic all-ceramic dental material.

Ceramics ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; Hardness ; Materials Testing ; Porosity ; Temperature ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVETo observe the correlation of plasma amino-terminal pro-A-, B- and C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP) levels with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients.

METHODSData of NYHA grade, echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function, plasma levels of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP (measured by enzyme immunoassay method) were obtained in 112 heart failure patients and 44 normal control subjects. The correlation analysis was made between NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, NT-proCNP and NYHA functional class, left atrium diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), respectively.

RESULTSThe plasma concentrations of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP in heart failure patients were significantly higher than in control group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between NT-proANP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.790, P = 0.000) and a weak correlation between NT-proCNP and NT-proBNP (r = 0.278, P = 0.003) as well as between NT-proCNP and NT-proANP (r = 0.236, P = 0.012) in heart failure patients. Univariant analysis showed that NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were positively correlated to LAD, LVEDD and negatively correlated to LVEF (all P<0.05) while there was no significant correlation between NT-proCNP and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function in heart failure patients. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis including age, gender, NYHA classification, LAD, LVEDD and LVEF revealed that NYHA classification, LVEF, LAD and age were independent predictors of NT-proANP; while NYHA classification, LVEF and age were independent predictors of NT-proBNP while there was no association among these factors and NT-proCNP.

CONCLUSIONIn heart failure patients, the plasma concentration of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP and NT-proCNP were significantly increased and NT-proANP, NT-proBNP but not NT-proCNP were significantly correlated to NYHA classification and echocardiographic derived parameters of cardiac function.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left