Objective To evaluate the effect of errorless learning on memory processes.Methods Eight- y-four participants were randomly divided into three groups:a group which received computer-assisted memory train- ing (CAMG,n=30) ,a therapist-administered memory training group (TAMG,n=24) and a control group (CG,n =30).A 20-session training course with a Chinese cultural background was tailor-made for Chinese subjects with memory disorders.It was administered over the course of one month to the test groups with a similar course structure and content but different delivery modes.The control group had no training.The Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test- Chinese Version (RBMT-CV) and the Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT) were used to assess memory ability and process at the start and end of the training,and one month later.A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare differences across the three groups.Results Comparing pre-training with post-training and follow- up,RBMT-CV and HKLLT scores improved significantly.The CAMG group demonstrated better progress encoding and storage on the HKLLT (including the random and blocked conditions) than the TAMG group.Conclusions Errorless learning is likely to be an effective technique for improving memory function in patients with traumatic brain injury.Its effects last for at least one month.Computer-administered training was more effective than therapist-admin- istered face to face training,especially in improving encoding and storage memory processes.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the inflicted by radar electromagnetic radiation to the sperm DNA of radar operators.

METHODSSperm concentration, viability, motility, sperm abnormality were determined by routine sperm analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) in the highly exposed group(n = 88), lowly exposed group(n = 143) and control group(n = 39).

RESULTSSperm motility, viability of the highly exposed group reduced compared with that of the lowly exposed group and control group, while sperm abnormality increased. The COMP alpha reduction of the highly exposed group indicated that the highly exposed group had a medium fertility potential. The multifactor variable analysis showed that daily working time was a dangerous factor in sperm abnormality and abstinence time was a dangerous factor in the parameter of SCSA.

CONCLUSIONSRadar radiation inflicts damage to male reproduction system and it is important to take protective measures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chromatin ; ultrastructure ; DNA Damage ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Phenomena ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Radar ; Spermatozoa ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo identify the effects of overtraining on human sperm DNA.

METHODSMolecular epidemiological investigation of 249 men from different groups (training and non-training) was carried out by using flow cytometer to detect the integrity and damage of in situ DNA of sperm nucleus, and sperm chromatin structure assay was performed.

RESULTSThe average COMPalpha(t) in training group was 11.02% while that in control group was 5.90% (P < 0.01). COMPalpha(t) was significantly correlated with sperm activity (r = 0.41, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOvertraining could induce sperm DNA injury and affect sperm activity, thus to decrease the potentiality of reproduction.

Adult ; Chromatin ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Fragmentation ; Exercise ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of varicocele on sperm chromatin structure and sperm motility.

METHODSRoutine semen analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) were performed in a varicocele group (n=74) and a control group (n=89).

RESULTSSperm concentration (41.4 +/- 38.7] x 10(6)/ml) grade a+b sperm percentage ([31.7 +/- 16.9]% and sperm viability ([62.8 +/- 22.2]%) in the varicocele group were evidently lower than those ([80.9 +/- 63.1] x 10(6)/ml, [46.8 +/- 20.5]%, [77.2 +/- 17.5])% in the control group (P < 0.05) and so were VCL, VSL and VAP ([37.4 +/- 12.5 microm/s, [23.4 +/- 7.8] microm/s, [26.5 +/- 8.2] microm/s) in the varicocele group than those ([42.4 +/- 10.7] microm/s, [27.3 +/- 7.3] microm/s, [30.7 +/- 7.8] microm/s) in the control (P < 0.05). MAD was increased (P < 0.01), and the COMP alphat of SCSA (23.2 +/-16.2) was obviously higher in the former than in the latter (14.1 +/- 11.8) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVaricocele causes damage to sperm DNA and changes sperm motility, which may result in male infertility.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chromatin ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; genetics ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; genetics ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVESTo analysis the correlation between parameters of sperm chromatin structure assay(SCSA) and semen routine analysis, and to discuss the reliable methods of semen quality evaluation.

METHODSFive hundred and eleven semen samples were detected to analyse the mutiple-parameter correlation between results of SCSA (COMP alpha t) and semen routine analysis.

RESULTSThe parameters that have low-level positive correlation(r: 0.10-0.30) with denatured sperm percentage(COMP alpha t) were viscosity, ejaculation interval, abnormal sperm ratio, concentration of grade c sperm; those having low-level negative correlation(r: -0.30(-)-0.10) were VDL, VSL and VAP; those having mid-level positive correlation (r: 0.30-0.70) were sperm concentration, percentage of grade d sperm; those having mid-level negative correlation (r: -0.70(-)-0.30) were MAD, percentage of grade a sperm and survival rate.

CONCLUSIONSFlow cytometry can be used to evaluate the percentage of denatured or injured sperm rapidly, correctly and simply. The result (COMP alpha t) correlates partly with semen parameters, and it is not a conclusively parameter compared with routine semen analysis. It is important to use SCSA to evaluate productivity under the above situation.

Adult ; Chromatin ; chemistry ; DNA Damage ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Semen ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; Viscosity

OBJECTIVESTo detect the sperm DNA damage and to evaluate its significance in male reproductive using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE).

METHODSFour hundred and eighteen sperm samples were analysed using the computer assisted analysis system and SCGE. The sperms samples were divided into five grades according to the extent of the sperm nuclear DNA damage.

RESULTS1. When the sperm density is less than 20 x 10(6)/ml, the occurence of grade II and III are increased significantly; 2. In the unmotile grade d sperm the occurence of grade I comet amounts was 5.39%, the occurence of grade II and III was remarkably increased. There was a evidently variance between the grade d and grade a + b sperm.

CONCLUSIONSSCGE can be used to detect the sperm DNA breakage and to evaluate the sperm quality and damage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Comet Assay ; methods ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; genetics ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine Sanqi Oral Liquid, composed of Astragalus membranaceus and Panpax notoginseng, in alleviating renal injury by observing its effect on the expressions of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells in 5/6 nephrectomized rats with chronic renal failure.

METHODSA total of 102 SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: three treatment groups were administrated with high, medium and low dosage of Sanqi Oral Liquid respectively by gavage; a normal group, a 5/6 nephrectomized model group, and a group treated with coated aldehyde oxygenstarch were used as controls. Following oral administration of Sanqi Oral Liquid for 12 weeks, the general condition and renal pathological changes were observed, and the renal function, platelet count (PLT) and the expressions of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells were determined for each group.

RESULTSThere were proliferation of mesangial matrix, renaltubularnecrosis and obvious tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the model group, and they were much milder in the treatment groups. Compared with the model group, the amounts of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and PLT in the treatment groups decreased (P<0.05 for all); and in the group administrated of medium dosage of Sanqi Oral Liquid, the expression of CD4(+) cells was up-regulated and those of CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells were down-regulated (P<0.05 for all), leading to an increased ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+)(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSanqi Oral Liquid has a significant effect on regulating lymphocyte subsets, reducing the infiltration of macrophages in renal tissues and alleviating tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and this may be one of mechanisms of Sanqi Oral Liquid in delaying the progression of chronic kidney diseases.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solutions

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between microwave radiation and male reproductivity.

METHODSAfter filling out questionnaire and body check, we carried out molecular epidemiological studies, using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and sperm automatic analysis among people working on radar.

RESULTSQuality of semen and semi-clinical injury of sperm among the people working on radar had changed when radar electromagnetic wave frequency distance, intensity, lasting time and protection shield were changing. Dose-response relationship was noticed and the increase of sperm dysmorphia played a principal role. The results between exposed group and control group showed significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPeople working on radar who suffered from non-ionization for long time and had bad radar shield protection would show semi-clinical injury on sperm and bad semen quality. However, it did not affect the male reproductive function. It was necessary to reinforce the protection of non-ionization and to improve male reproductive health care of people working on radar.

Adult ; Comet Assay ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Fertility ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Radar ; Radiation, Nonionizing ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation on male reproductivity.

METHODSA total of 289 married male radar operators were included in the radar group and 148 married men unexposed to microwave radiation were enrolled as controls. Questionnaires were used and the intensity of microwave radiation in different working areas was detected.

RESULTSThe rate of sexual dysfunction was 43.6% in the radar group and 24.4% in the control group (P < 0.01). The natural pregnancy rate was 53.6% within 1 year of marriage and 46.4% after 1 year of marriage in the radar group, as compared with 81.1% and 18.9% in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation evidently increased the sexual dysfunction rate and decreased natural pregnancy rate in men.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fertility ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Male ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Military Personnel ; Occupational Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Radar ; Radiation Dosage ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability of different hepatitis E diagnosis reagent tests on the acute hepatitis E.

METHODSThree acute hepatitis E diagnosis tests, E2-IgM (Wantai, China), GL-IgM and GL-IgG (Genelabs, Singapore) were compared for their reliability in a sera panel composed by 273 healthy individuals and 525 hepatitis.

RESULTSThe specificity of E2-IgM on the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E was 100.0%, it was significantly higher than GL-IgM (96.7%) and GL-IgG (85.4%). The sensitivity of E2-IgM and GL-IgG were 97.9% and 93.8% respectively, both significantly higher than GL-IgM (72.9%). Among 65 acute hepatitis cases being positive on GL-IgM test but negative on E2-IgM, 58 (89.2%) cases were found to be positive with anti-hepatitis A virus IgM, it indicated that the GL-IgM test might be interfered by other IgM antibodies on serum.

CONCLUSIONE2-IgM is a good test for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E.

Acute Disease ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity