Men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) can achieve fertility by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) coupled with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the key to which is the successful retrieval of sperm from the testis. Although improved testicular sperm extraction techniques have increased the chances of sperm retrieval, to predict preoperatively the success of sperm retrieval from NOA patients remains challenging. A non-invasive diagnostic technique predicting the presence of sperm in the testis would be useful for avoiding possible surgical intervention. At present, some preoperative variables, such as serum FSH, inhibin B level, testis volume, genetic analysis, histopathology on diagnostic biopsy, Raman Spectroscopy, and molecular and protein markers, have provided new insights into the chances of successful sperm retrieval in NOA males. This review aims to evaluate the preoperative factors currently available for predicting the outcomes of sperm retrieval from NOA patients.
Azoospermia ; therapy ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Inhibins ; blood ; Male ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Testis ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the levels of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) in human follicular fluid (FF) and its association with response to ovarian stimulation.

METHODSWestern blotting was performed to determine the levels of BMP-15 in FF obtained from follicle aspirates in 70 patients undergoing IVF treatment. According to the response to ovarian stimulation the patients were divided into poor responder group and normal responder group.

RESULTBMP-15 levels in FF of poor responders were significantly higher than those in normal responders (1.01 +/- 0.34 vs 0.77 +/- 0.24, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONIncreased levels of BMP-15 in FF may be associated with poor response to ovarian stimulation.

Adult ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; administration & dosage ; Follicular Fluid ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Growth Differentiation Factor 9 ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; metabolism ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ovulation Induction

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of multi-dimensional and comprehensive evaluation on the quality of life among rural elderly population in Anhui province.

METHODS5652 rural elderly people aged above 65 in Anhui province were selected by cluster sampling method and were studied by cross-sectional study through a questionnaire on health information. The quality of life was evaluated by comprehensive evaluation method.

RESULTSThe total score of satisfactory quality of life in the studied rural elderly people was 0.1432 +/- 0.5170, while not satisfied was -0.2521 +/- 0.6081, with significant difference between the two groups (F = 666.221, P < 0.0001). There was positive correlation between subjective satisfaction and total score of quality of life, with r(s) = 0.345 (P < 0.0001). The results of logistic regression analysis between comprehensive index of quality of life and subjective satisfaction indicated that filial piety, income, sleeping condition, chronic disease, nutrition status, economic dominance in the family, amusement activities etc. were important factors influencing the quality of life.

CONCLUSIONIt was feasible to evaluation on the quality of life by comprehensive evaluation method.

Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Personal Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Regression Analysis ; Rural Health ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) combined with mucin on the ability of proliferation and migration of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) after being treated by burn rat serum.

METHODSThe rat IEC-6 cell lines were subcultured and divided into control group (C, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% calf serum), burn serum group (BS, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum), burn serum + ITF group (B + I, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 25 microg/mL ITF), burn serum + mucin group (B + M, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 250 microg/mL mucin), and burn serum + ITF + mucin group (B + I + M, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum, 25 microg/mL ITF, and 250 microg/mL mucin) according to the random number table. Cells were counted on post culture day (PCD) 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, reflecting cell proliferation ability. Cell migration distance was measured at post scratch hour (PSH) 12, 24, 36, 48, 72. Then, cells of each group were placed in upper compartment of Transwell chamber while the corresponding medium was respectively added into lower compartment of Transwell chamber. Cells in lower compartment of Transwell chamber were counted at post culture hour (PCH) 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, reflecting cytomorphosis ability. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Cell proliferation ability. The cell numbers in BS group on PCD 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly less than those in C group (with t values from -16.569 to -2.613, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cell number showed no statistical difference between B + I and BS groups, and between B + M and BS groups at each time point (with t values respectively from 0.037 to 0.740 and 0.116 to 0.429, P values all above 0.05). The cell number in B + I + M group on PCD 2 was respectively larger than that in BS group (t = 6.484, P < 0.01) and B + I group ( t = 3.838, P < 0.01). (2) Cell migration distance in BS group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 was significantly shorter than that in C group (with t values from -37.594 to -6.727, P values all below 0.01). There was no obvious difference in cell migration distance between BS and B + M groups at each time point (with t values from 0.055 to 0.589, P values all above 0.05). Cell migration distance in B + I group at PSH 12, 24, 36 was respectively (47 +/- 6), (126 +/- 13), (170 +/- 11) microm, all longer than those in BS group [(42 +/- 7), (98 +/- 14), (154 +/- 22) microm, with t values from 2.230 to 4.817, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. Cell migration distance in BS group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and B + I group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48 was respectively shorter than that in B + I + M group (with t values respectively from 2.982 to 7.390 and 2.707 to 2.918, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Cytomorphosis ability. Compared with those of C group, cell counts in lower compartment of BS group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 were significantly decreased (with t values from -23.965 to -6.436, P values all below 0.01). Cell count in lower compartment of BS group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 was respectively less than that of B + I group (with t values from 3.650 to 10.028, P values all below 0.01) and similar to that of B + M group (with t values from 0.199 to 0.797, P values all above 0.05). Cell counts in lower compartment of B + I + M group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 were significantly larger than those of BS group (with t values from 4.313 to 15.100, P values all below 0.01). Cell count in lower compartment of B + I + M group at PCH 10 (328 +/- 47) and PCH 12 (465 +/- 37) was respectively larger than that in B + I group (277 +/- 25, 353 +/- 34, with t value respectively 3.051, 6.945, P values all below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSITF can improve cytomorphosis ability for promoting cell migration with limited effect on cell proliferation, which can be enhanced with addition of mucin. The main mechanism of ITF in maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier may be attributed to acceleration of cell migration.

Animals ; Burns ; blood ; Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestines ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mucins ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Serum ; immunology ; Trefoil Factor-2

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) combined with mucin on immune function of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) after being treated with burn rat serum.

METHODSThe rat IEC-6 cell lines were divided into control group (C, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% calf serum), burn control group (BC, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum), burn serum + ITF group (B + I, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 25 microg/mL ITF), burn serum + mucin group (B + M, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 250 microg/mL mucin), and burn serum + ITF + mucin group (B + I + M, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum, 25 microg/mL ITF, and 250 microg/mL mucin) according to the random number table. Meanwhile, 200 microL suspension of E. coli with density of 1 x 10(8) CFU/mL was added to each culture. At post culture minute (PCM) 15, 30 and post culture hour (PCH) 1, 2, 3, the number of bacteria adherent to IEC-6 was counted after Wright-Giemsa staining, and cell survival rate was calculated after trypan blue staining, with 20 samples in each group at each time point. (2) Other samples of IEC-6 cells without addition of E. coli were divided into BC, B + I, B + M, and B + I + M groups with the same treatment as above. The supernatant contents of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were determined by radioimmunoassay at PCH 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, with 6 samples in each group at each time point. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that in C group, count of adherent bacteria to IEC-6 in BC group at each time point was significantly increased (with t values from 2.947 to 8.149, P values all below 0.01). Compared with those in BC group, the counts in B + I, B + M, B + I + M groups at the major time points were significantly decreased (with t values from -4.733 to -2.180, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Compared with that in C group, cell survival rate in BC group at each time point was obviously lowered (with t values from -4.126 to -2.363, P values all below 0.05). Cell survival rates in B + I and B + M groups at some time points were significantly elevated as compared with those in BC group (with t values from 2.120 to 3.423, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Cell survival rate in B + I + M group at PCM 15 and PCH 3 was respectively (96.7 +/- 2.4)% and (84.0 +/- 6.7)%, which was respectively higher than that in B + I and B + M groups [(94.5 +/- 3.1)%, t = 2.507, P < 0.05; (77.1 +/- 8.2)%, t = 2.934, P < 0.01]. (3) The contents of TNF-alpha in supernatant of B + I + M group at PCH 6, 12, 24, 48 were significantly lower than those in the other 3 groups (with t values from -6. 914 to -2.889, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-6 in supernatant of B + I + M group at some time points were significantly lower than those in the other 3 groups (with t values from -7. 657 to -2.580, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-8 in supernatant of B + I + M group at PCH 6, 12, 24, 48 were significantly lower than those in BC and B + M groups (with t values from - 8.802 to - 3.640, P values all below 0.01), and those in B + I + M group at PCH 12, 24 were lower than those in B + I group (with t value respectively -2.786, -2.740, P value all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSITF can maintain immune function and homeostasis of IEC, prevent bacterial adherence, decrease cell death rate, and reduce release of inflammatory mediators. The effect can be strengthened with addition of mucin.

Animals ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Burns ; blood ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Intestines ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mucins ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Serum ; immunology ; Trefoil Factor-2 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To observe the improving effect in joint function of moderate skeletal fluorosis treated by traditional Chinese medication(main ingredient was Strychnine).MethodsFrom December 2007 to July 2009,120 moderate skeletal fluorosis patients met the inclusion criteria were divided into the treatment group(60 cases)and the control group(60 cases)in the skeletal fluorosis hospital of Xinzhou,the treatment group was given basic treatment and traditional Chinese medication,the control group wa8 given basic treatment and placebo.The treatment lasted 12 weeks,follow up 24 weeks.Before treatment,after treatment 4 weeks,8 weeks,12 weeks,36 weeks,a third party evaluate comprehensive function of both upper and lower limb and joint dysfunction.Results The main effect of both drugs was statistically significance in the scores of the upper forearm in the finger by touching the posterior contralateral ear, upper arm touched by the finger back in the opposite corner subscapularis function, lower limb function and single-joint dysfunction(F values were 4.08,14.32,35.81,13.02, all P<0.05), the main effect of time also was significant (F values were 82.63,72.82,277.33,328.16, all P<0.05),①the upper forearm in the finger by touching the posterior contralateral ear functions:At the time of 8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment and control group (all P<0.05);At the time of 36 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05);At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment(all P < 0.05);②upper arm function, namely fingers touching the opposite corner subscapularis:At the time of 4,8,12 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05); At the time of 36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05); At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05);③Lower extremity functions: At the time of 8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment and control group (all P<0.05);At the time of 36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05) ; At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment (all P<0.05);④single joint functions:At the time of 4,8,12 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05); At the time of 36 weeks,scores of the treatment group were lower than that 12 weeks(all P<0.05) ; At the time of 8,12,36 weeks, scores of the control group were lower than those of before treatment(all P<0.05);At the time of 4,8,12,36 weeks, scores of the treatment group were lower than those of control group(all P<0.05);⑤At the end of treatment and follow-up,the improvement rate in joint functions in the treatment group were 88.33% (53/60),93.33% (56/60); the control group were 28.07%(16/57),40.35%(23/57), (Fisher test, P<0.01,X2=56.21, P<0.01). ConclusionTraditional Chinese medication(its main ingredient is Strychnine), an effective drug for improving joint dysfunction in patients suffering from moderate skeletal fluorosis, is simple and effective.

In order to investigate expression of SCL (stem cell leukemia) gene in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and bone marrow cells from patients with leukemia and normal individuals, bone marrow mononuclear cells from AML (18 cases), CML (17 cases), ALL (7 cases) and normal individuals (33 cases) were cultured long-term in vitro. Nonadherent cells (hematopoietic cells) and amplified adherent cells (BMSC) were collected respectively. RT-PCR-ELISA assay was then performed to detect expression of SCL gene. The expression ratio of SCL gene were analyzed and its expression level was normalized by beta(2)M gene acting as an internal reference for the purpose of semi-quantitative analysis. The results indicated that the expression ratio of SCL gene was lower in BMSC from AML (27.8%) and CML (11.8%) than that in normal controls (69.7%, P < 0.05), while was higher in the nonadherent cells from CML (64.3%) than that in its corresponding BMSC (P < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis showed that SCL gene expression level in nonadherent cells from AML was higher than that in its corresponding BMSC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the low-level expression state of SCL gene in BMSC from patients with AML and CML may be involved in the abnormal regulation of hematopoiesis in myelocytic leukemia.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1 ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

In order to investigate expressions of transcription factor GATA-1 and GATA-2 genes in the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from patients with leukemia or normal controls, bone marrow stromal cells from 34 normal cases and 42 cases with leukemia were cultured long-term in vitro. Nonadherent cells (bone marrow hematopoietic cells) and amplified adherent cells (BMSC) were collected separately. Expressions of GATA-1 and GATA-2 genes were analyzed by using RT-PCR-ELISA; the semi-quantitative expression levels of GATA genes in the BMSCs from patients with leukemia were compared with normal controls. The results showed that expressions of GATA-1 and GATA-2 genes could be detected in the BMSCs and the bone marrow hematopoietic cells from both normal controls and the cases of leukemia. The expression ratio of GATA-1 in the BMSCs from acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) (85.7%) was similar to the normal controls (88.2%), whereas the expression ratios in BMSCs from acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) (55.6%) and chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) (41.2%) were significant lower than the normal controls (P < 0.05). The rank of expression level of GATA-1 gene in the BMSCs was "ALL>AML>normal>CML". There was no difference in the expression level of GATA-2 gene within the BMSCs from normal controls and patients with leukemia. The ranks of expression levels of GATA-1 and GATA-2 genes in bone marrow hematopoietic cells were "AML>normal>ALL>CML" and "AML>CML>ALL>normal". The dominant expression of GATA-2 gene was found in the BMSCs from AML, CML or normal controls. It is inferred that the expressions of GATA-1 and GATA-2 genes in the BMSCs of normal controls and patients with leukemia may influence the regulation of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow stroma and it is worthy of further study to explore their roles in pathogenesis and development of leukemia.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; GATA1 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; GATA2 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Leukemia ; blood ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 16 Y-STR loci and to evaluate the forensic application in Miao, Yao and Dong nationalities of Guangxi population. METHODS: Genotypes of Y-STR loci were tested in a total of 253 healthy unrelated individuals (67 Miao people, 99 Yao people, 87 Dong people) using AmpFlSTR Yfiler PCR amplification kit. Allele frequencies and population genetics parameters of the 16 Y-STR loci were statistically analyzed. The allele frequencies were compared among the three nationalities. RESULTS: Most alleles were detected at locus DYS385 while fewest alleles were detected at locus DYS437 among the three nationalities. GD values were ranged from 0.2619 (DYS438) to 0.9417 (DYS385) for Miao nationality, 0.3170 (DYS391) to 0.955 9 (DYS385) for Yao nationality and 0.305 3 (DYS391) to 0.943 3 (DYS385) for Dong nationality, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences detected (P>0.05) at loci of DYS391 and DYS438 among the three nationalities. CONCLUSION The 16 Y-STR loci can be applied to practices and basic research of forensic genetics in the three main nationalities of Guangxi population.
Alleles ; China/ethnology* ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; Ethnicity ; Forensic Genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Loci/genetics* ; Genetic Markers ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the regulating effects of a novel CpG oligodeoxynuleotide and the synergistic effect of chitosan-nanoparticles (CNP) with CpG on immune responses of mice, which were used to develop a novel immunoadjuvant to boost immune response to conventional vaccines.

METHODSA novel CpG ODN containing 11 CpG motifs was synthesized and its bioactivities to stimulate the proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro were detected. Then it was entrapped with CNP prepared in our laboratory by the method of ionic cross linkage, and immunized Kunming mice were co-inoculated with paratyphoid vaccine. The peripheral blood was collected weekly from the tail vein of inoculated mice to detect the contents of IgG, IgA, IgM, and specific antibody against salmonella as well as the levels of interleukin-2 (IL2), IL-4, and IL-6 by SABC-ELISA assay. The numbers of leucocytes, monocytes, granuloytes, and lymphocytes were calculated separately using the routine method. The experimental mice were orally challenged with virulent salmonella 35 days after inoculation.

RESULTSThis CpG ODN could remarkably provoke the proliferation of lymphocytes of pig in vitro in contrast with the control (P < 0.05). Compared with those of the control, immunoglobulins, including IgG, IgA, IgM, and specific antibodies to paratyphoid vaccine, increased significantly in sera from the CpG or CpG-CNP-vaccinated mice (P < 0.05). IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 increased remarkably in sera from immunized mice (P < 0.05). The leucocytes, monocytes, granuloytes, and lymphocytes of the mice immunized with CpG or CpG-CNP were also increased in number (P < 0.05). After the challenge, these immunity values were elevated in the mice vaccinated with CpG or CpG-CNP. The immunized mice all survived, while the control mice fell ill with evident lesions with diffuse hemorrhage in stomach, small intestine, and peritoneum.

CONCLUSIONSCpG ODN entrapped with CNP is a promising effective immunoadjuvant for vaccination, which promotes humoral and cellular immune responses, enhances immunity and resistance against salmonella by co-administration with paratyphoid vaccine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Cell Proliferation ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Paratyphoid Fever ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Salmonella ; physiology ; Salmonella Infections, Animal ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Swine ; immunology ; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines ; immunology