OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the DNA integrity of optimized sperm on the embryonic development and clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSThis study included 605 cycles of conventional IVF-ET for pure oviductal infertility performed from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. On the day of retrieval, we examined the DNA integrity of the sperm using the sperm chromatin dispersion method. According to the ROC curve and Youden index, we grouped the cycles based on the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) threshold value for predicting implantation failure, early miscarriage, and fertilization failure, followed by analysis of the correlation between DFI and the outcomes of IVF-ET.

RESULTSAccording to the DFI threshold values obtained, the 605 cycles fell into four groups (DFI value < 5%, 5-10%, 10-15%, and ≥ 15%). Statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups in the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy, early miscarriage, and live birth (P < 0.05), but not in the rates of multiple pregnancy, premature birth, and low birth weight (P > 0.05). DFI was found to be correlated negatively with the rates of fertilization (r = -0.32, P < 0.01), cleavage (r = -0.19, P < 0.01), high-quality embryo (r = -0.40, P < 0.01), clinical pregnancy (r = -0.20, P < 0.01), and live birth (r = -0.09 P = 0.04), positively with the rate of early miscarriage (r = 0.23, P < 0.01), but not with the rates of multiple pregnancy (r = -0.01, P = 0.83), premature birth (r = 0.04, P = 0.54), and low birth weight (r = 0.03, P = 0.62).

CONCLUSIONThe DNA integrity of optimized sperm influences fertilization, embryonic development, early miscarriage, and live birth of IVF-ET, but its correlation with premature birth and low birth weight has to be further studied.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chromatin ; ultrastructure ; DNA Fragmentation ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; ROC Curve ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Objective To study the effects of citrullinated vimentin (cVim) on the maturation and immunologic function of dendritic cells (DCs) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) peripheral blood.Methods In the present study,mononuclear cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with RA and cultivated in media containing GM-CSF and IL-4 to generate immature DCs (imDCs).The imDCs generated were stimulated with citrullinated vimentin and vimentin.LPS was used as the positive control and PBS was used as the negative control.The expression of surface molecules on the DCs,such as CD14,CD80,CD83,CD86,MHC Ⅰ and MHC Ⅱ were analyzed with FACS.The capability of the stimulatory activity of the DCs on allogeneic T cells in mixed reaction was tested by MTS.t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results Compared to untreated DCs,DCs treated with LPS increased the expression levels of MHC Ⅱ,CD80,CD83 and CD86 (1.07±0.14,1.25±0.13,1.90±1.08,2.44±0.65,P＜0.05),while cVim increased the expression levels of MHC Ⅱ ( 1.18±0.09,P＜0.05) and CD83 ( 1.97±0.99,P＜0.01 ),and Vim decreased the expression levels of CD80 (0.82±0.18,P＜0.01 ).It was demonstrated that the expression levels of MHC Ⅱ on DCs pulsed with cVim were significantly higher than that of the DCs with LPS,but the expression levels of CD80 and CD86 were not significantly different.The expression levels of MHC Ⅱ and CD83 on DCs pulsed with cVim were significantly higher than that of the DCs with Vim.The mixed lymphocyte reaction showed that the DCs induced by LPS and cVim trigerred the proli-feration of allogenic T cells obviously.Conclusion This result suggests that cVim could promote the phenotypic maturation of DCs and increase the expression of costimulatory molecules.

Objective To investigate role of reverse digital artery island flap combined with dig- ital nerve end to side anastomosis.Methods Reverse digital artery island flaps were used for recon- struction of 65 fingertip defects in 57cases,in which the restoration of the flap sense was attained via dig- ital nerve end to side anastomosis.Results After primary repair,all flaps survived,with good appear- ance and wear-resisting as well as satisfactory two-point discriminations.Conclusion Digital artery re- verse island flap combined with digital nerve end to side anastomosis is a simple and effective procedure for repair of finger defect.

Objective To investigate the effects of intense pulsed light(IPL) on the collagen metabolism in human fibroblasts.Methods The callan foreskin fibroblasts were cultured and treated with different wave length and designed dose of IPL irradiation(590-1 200 nm,and 29 J/cm2),while 10 without IPL irradiation as controls.By culturing 1,12,24 and 48 h after the irradiation,the synthesis of collagen was measured by 3H-proline incorporation determination. Results The synthesis of collagen activity increased significantly(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of preparing novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes with PEG grafted on beta-sitosterol (PEG-Sito).

METHODSuccinicanhydride was adopted to connect beta-sitosterol and PEG 2000. Sphingomyelin and PEG-Sito was used as material to prepare gypenosides long-circulating liposomes by using ethanol injection method. Encapsulation efficiency was determined by using protamine precipitation method. H-NMR was used to verify the synthesis of PEG-Sito, the novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes were characterized by particle size, zeta potential and atomic force microscope.

RESULTThe synthesis of PEG-Sito was verified by 1H-NMR. Encapsulation efficiency of long-circulating liposomes prepared by ethanol injection method was 74.3%, particle size was 288.1 nm, zeta potential was -20.25 mV, the morphology were round observed by AFM.

CONCLUSIONThe novel gypenosides long-circulating liposomes prepared with PEG-Sito was feasible, it had a high encapsulation efficiency and good morphology.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Gynostemma ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; blood ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; Sphingomyelins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the values of the sperm deformity index (SDI), acrosome abnormity rate (AAR), and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of optimized sperm in the prediction of fertilization failure (fertilization rate < 25%) in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODSWe selected 695 cycles of conventional IVF for pure oviductal infertility in this study, including 603 cycles of normal fertilization and 92 cycles of fertilization failure. On the day of oocyte retrieval, we examined sperm morphology, acrosome morphology, and DNA fragmentation using the Diff-Quik, PSA-FITC and SCD methods. We established the joint predictor (JP) by logistic equation and analyzed the values of different parameters in predicting fertilization failure with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTSThe fertilization rate was negatively correlated with SDI (r = - 0.07; P = 0.03), AAR (r = -0.49; P < 0.01), and DFI (r = -0. 21; P < 0.01). The SDI, AAR, and DFI in the normal fertilization group were 1.24 ± 0.20, (7.75 ± 2.28)%, and (7.87 ± 3.15)%, and those in the fertilization failure group were 1.42 ± 0.15, (12.02 ± 3.06)%, and (13.32 ± 4.13)%, respectively, all with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). SDI, AAR, and DFI were all risk factors of fertilization failure ( OR = 2.68, 14.11, and 3.85; P = 0.01, < 0.01, and < 0.01). The areas under the ROC curves for SDI, AAR, DFI, and JP were 0.651 ± 0.033, 0.895 ± 0.019, 0.789 ± 0.022, and 0.915 ± 0.017, respectively. According to the Youden index, the optimal cut-off values of SDI, AAR, and DFI obtained for the prediction of fertilization failure were approximately 1.45, 10%, and 12%.

CONCLUSIONThe SDI, AAR and DFI of optimized sperm are closely associated with the fertilization rate, and all have the value for predicting fertilization failure in IVF. The AAR is more valuable than the other single predictors, but JP is more effective than the AAR.

Acrosome ; Area Under Curve ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; ultrastructure

Objective To explore the effects of expressing human ciliary neurotrophic factor (hCNTF) mediated by retroviral vector in olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs) on the survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured neurons. Methods S\|hCNTF fragment was digested with endonucleases(Kpn I and Xba I) from pcDNA\-3\|S\|hCNTF plasmid and cloned into pRev\|TRE vector.The harvested pRev\|TRE\|hCNTF was identified and transfected with pRev\|Tet\|On into ecotropic Ecopack\|293 cells,resulting in 2 retroviral supernatants(pRev\|TRE\|hCNTF and pRev\|Tet\|On).Primarily cultured rat olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs) were co\|infected with the 2 retroviruses,and induced to secrete hCNTF with different concentrations of doxycline.The secreted hCNTF in OEC culture supernatant was detected with Western\|blot.Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) from a postnatal rat of 2 days was co\|cultured with CNTF\|modified OECs,and the supernatant was used to culture retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).Following ?\|tubulin immunocytochemical staining,the length of DRG neurites were measured,while the numbers of surviving RGCs were counted. Results 1.Individual 630bp and 400bp fragments were digested from pRev\|TRE\|S\|hCNTF expression vector with endonucleases(Hind Ⅲ and BamH Ⅰ),and respected direction and integration of hCNTF cDNA which inserted pRev\|TRE vector were identified; 2.The expression of 24kD CNTF proteins in CNTF\|modified OEC culture supernatant was positively\|correlated with the concentration of doxycline,while no such protein expression was detected in the control groups; 3.The number of surviving RGCs in CNTF\|modified OECs group(41\^34?5\^4) was significantly higher than those in unmodified OEC(23\^15?4\^7),OECs(24\^55?5\^8) and blank(16\^8?6\^5) groups;and 4\^The neurites of DRG were longer (660?67?m) and denser in CNTF\|modified OECs group,as compared with unmodified OECs(418?45?m),Mock+OECs(400?65?m) and blank (0?m) control groups.No process migrated and grew from the tissue mass in blank group.Conclusion\ hCNTF can be expressed in OECs with a doxycline concentration\|dependent manner after transfected via pRev\|TRE\|S\|hCNTF vector,and possesses a marked enhancing effect on the survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured neurons.[

The high-copy-number plasmid pcDNA3.1+ is unstable within S almonella typhimurium. A novel plasmid pmcDNA3.1+ was constructed by removin g the promoter sequence of ampicillin resistance gene (bla gene) in plasmid pcDNA3.1+. In contrast to pcDNA3.1+, pmcDNA3.1+ was stable within Salmonel la typhimurium SL7207 in LB medium with or without ampicillin. Further experi ments showed the ?-lactamase activity of Salmonella typhimurium SL7207(pmc DNA3.1+) was apparently lowered than that of Salmonella typhimurium SL7207( pcDNA3.1+) and the high ampicillin concentration was maintained longer in LB me dium culturing Salmonella typhimurium SL7207(pmcDNA3.1+). When mice were a dministered with Salmonella typhimurium SL7207(pmcDNA3.1+) intraperitoneall y, more than 95% of Salmonella cells separated from the spleen still harbore d the plasmid pmcDNA3.1+ 7 days later; but 99% of Salmonella cells lost the plasmid pcDNA3.1+ at day 3 in mice innoculated with Salmonella typhimurium SL7207(pcDNA3.1+). By lowering the expression of bla gene, the rapid deco mposition of ampicillin in LB medium was avoided and the metabolic pressure was relieved for the host cells. This method offers a solution for the problem of t he instability of high-copy-number plasmid within Salmonella typhimurium.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the left bacteria on the root canal therapy.

METHODS50 single-rooted teeth with chronic apical periodontitis were divided into two groups, one was instrumented with step-back technique and 2.5%NaOCl ultrasonic irrigation for 3 min, then filled with Thermafil. Samples were taken after instrumentation to culture. The other was treated with traditional RCT at three visits.

RESULTSIn 24 months the apical radiolucency were greatly reduced in all cases. There weren't significant relationship among the postoperative pain and the left bacteria, the degree of the obturation or the pre-operative symptoms (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of left bacteria in root canal filled with Thermafil wasn't observed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periapical Periodontitis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Root Canal Therapy

Objective To investigate the effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems of school-aged children in Shanghai. Methods A total of 4 108 school-aged children from 10 primary schools of Shanghai were enrolled by multi-stage cluster sampling and surveyed by questionnaires. The information of television-watching and computer-using, family and personal condition was investigated by self-prepared questionnaire, and the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was employed to survey the sleep behaviors of children. The effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis. Results The percentage of children who watched television≥2 h per day was 4.1% during weekdays, and that came to 49.2% during weekends. In terms of frequency of computer-using, most children reported "rarely" (88.2%, 0-1 time/week), followed by "often" (11.0%, 2-4 times/ week) and "usually" (0.8%, 5-7 times/week). With the age increase, the percentages of children who watched television≥2 h per day and those who "often" used computer gradually increased. It was revealed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis that television-watching and computer-using were not only positively correlated with later bedtime, later wake time and shorter sleep duration but also significantly associated with sleep problems such as bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep duration disorder, sleep anxiety and parasomnia. Conclusion Television-watching and computer-using exert influences on sleep behaviors of sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems. Concerns about the potential negative effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep behaviors may help to promote healthy sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.