OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of male reproductive tract infection (RTI) with semen parameters and sperm DNA damage.

METHODSWe classified 1 084 males attending the infertility clinic into an RTI group (n = 300) and a non-RTI control group (n = 784). According to the WHO standards, we obtained routine semen parameters, detected sperm morphology, and determined the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by sperm chromatin structure assay.

RESULTSThere were statistically significant differences between the RTI and control groups in the semen volume ( [2.58 ± 1.20] vs [3.00 ± 2.10] ml), grade a + b sperm ([50.6 ± 17.2] vs [53.2 ± 15.8]%), grade d sperm ( [39. 8 ± 17.8] vs [36.5 ± 16.2]%), and total sperm count ([218.5 ± 185.0 ] vs [278.5 ± 375.5 ] x 10(6)/ejaculate) (all P < 0.05), but not in the males' age, sperm concentration or pH value (P > 0.05). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly lower ([3.46 ± 2.90] vs [4.61 ± 3.60%, P < 0.05) but the DFI was markedly higher in the RTI group than in the control ([19.4 ± 11.4] vs [15.2 ± 8.8]% , P < 0.01). The percentage of the cases with DFI > 30% was remarkably higher (13.0 vs 5.74% ) while that of the cases with DFI < 10% dramatically lower in the former than in the latter (16.0 vs 28.0%). The level of seminal plasma elastase was correlated negatively to sperm concentration, sperm count, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05) but positively to DFI and grade d sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMale reproductive tract infection not only affects semen parameters and sperm morphology but also causes serious sperm DNA damage.

DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; physiopathology ; Semen ; chemistry ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

A total of 72 patients with first-episode mild-and-moderate depression took Qishen Fukang Capsules.The change of event-related potential P3 was determined before and after treatment for 6,12 and 24 weeks.And another 70 healthy controls received the same tests simultaneously.Compared with before treatment,HAMD scores after treatment were lower in the patient group [(29.1 ± 5.1) score vs.(10.4 ±4.1) score].P3 latencies were shorter and amplitudes became higher after treatment (P ＜0.01).And the difference of before and after treatment for 6 weeks was larger than the difference of 12 weeks and after treatment for 6 weeks (P ＜ 0.01).The curative effect is definite.And the clinical symptoms and brain evoked potential index have improved in patients with first-episode mild-and-moderate depression after medication.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide(As2O3) on MDCC-MSB1 cancer cell line in vitro. Methods MDCC-MSB1 cells were divided into 4 groups, treated with 0 (control group), 2, 4 or 8 μmoL/L of As2O3. At 48 h following the treatment, MTr assay was applied to detect the inhibitory effect of As2O3 on MDCC-MSB1. Morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis was examined by DNA Ladder. Changes of mitochondrial transmembrane potential were examined by Rhodamin 123 dye and flow cytometry. Results Inhibition ratio was 0, (5.34±3.02)%, (10.78± 0.55)% and (20.02±3.24)% respectively, along with the dosages of As2O3, the differences between the groups were statistically significant(P<0.01). Morphologic changes of apoptosis were observed by DNA ladder of agarose gel electrophoresis. Apoptosis rates were significandy increased from 3.200±0.459, 11.543±0.391, 17.206±0.636 to 21.343±0.620, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant(P<0.01). DNA ladder of experimental group was detected, Intact cell membrane, and mitochondrial transmembrane potential Pl-/Rh123- decreased apoptotic cells percentage was significantly increased from (1.06±0.14)%, (4.63±0.04)%, (9.62±0.07)% to (10.39±0.10)%, respective to doses of 0, 2,4, and 8 μmol of As2O3. The differences between the groups were statistically significant(P<0.01). Conclusions As2O3 can induce apoptosis in MDCC-MSB1 cells by decreasing the mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of ganciclovir(GCV) on acute cerebral injury of mice caused by herpes simplex virus(HCV). Methods Mice model of acute cerebral injury caused by HCV were established, morphological changes in the brain tissue of mouse treated with GCV were observed under the electronic microscope, and the mortality were compared. The HSV - I DNA copies of brain tissue were detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results In the infected model group, there were obvious swelling, karyopyknosis and destruction of the structure in the brain cells, as well as myelin sheath solution and vacuolar degeneration in the mitochondrion and crest were destroyed. There were the virions in the nucleolus. With the GCV treatment, the symptoms were improved, the mortality much lowered, the yields of HSV - I DNA much lower. Conclusions GCV may restrain replication of HSV-Ⅰ effectively and lower the mortality of mice with acute cerebral injury caused by herpes simplex virus significantly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dental compensation in different sagittal jaw relationships.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-seven post-treatment cases with satisfied outcome were chosen. Computerized cephalometric analysis was performed to evaluate the sagittal jaw relationship. Incisor torque were measured based on study models. Correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTSCompared with skeletal class I cases, the upper incisors of skeletal class III cases were more proclined, and lower incisors were more retroclined; the opposite result was found in skeletal class II cases. Dental compensation in class I cases took place primarily at lower incisors.

CONCLUSIONSIncisor torque control was important in patients with various sagittal jaw relationships.

Cephalometry ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Malocclusion ; therapy ; Mandible ; anatomy & histology ; Maxilla ; anatomy & histology ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Torque

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for early disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in neonates with sepsis.

METHODSA retrospective clinical study was performed on 100 neonates with a confirmed diagnosis of sepsis between 2012 and 2013. The children were classified into normal coagulation group, non-overt DIC group (early DIC group), and overt DIC group (late DIC group) based on the ISTH overt DIC scoring system. The clinical manifestations and risk factors were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSEarly DIC occurred in 44 (44%) cases in the 100 neonates with sepsis. The incidence of sclerema showed significant differences between the three groups (P<0.05). Asphyxia, bleeding, and Gram-negative bacterial infection were independent risk factors for early DIC.

CONCLUSIONSCoagulation function should be actively monitored and early intervention measures should be taken for neonates with asphyxia, bleeding, and Gram-negative bacterial infection to prevent early DIC from progressing to late DIC.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; complications

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenotypes and genetic features of families with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Seven children from six families with DMD diagnosed by gene testing were enrolled. The clinical and genetic features of the families were analyzed. RESULTS: There were two new mutations and four maternal inheritance mutations in the six families. The proband of family 1 had one point de novo mutation and one insertion de novo mutation of the DMD gene. Three families had point mutation, one family had fragment deletion of exon, and one family had fragment duplication of exon. The youngest age of onset of the probands was 6 months. All probands had skeletal muscle dyskinesia and significant changes in muscle enzymes, with different severities of clinical phenotypes. Three probands had mild mental retardation. The results of echocardiography were normal for all probands. The mother of the proband in family 6 had mild clinical phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Gene testing can be used for the confirmed diagnosis of DMD. Mental retardation is a frequent clinical phenotype of DMD. The symptoms of myocardial involvement are not obvious in the early stage. Female carriers may have mild clinical symptoms.
Dystrophin ; Exons ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Mutation ; Phenotype

Objective To evaluate the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF)polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA)- nanoparticles (NP) on PC12 cells induced by Aβ1-40 Methods The emulsion polymerization method was used to prepare the NGF-PBCA-NP. Morphology of the NGF-PBCA-NP was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency of NGF-PBCA-NP were measured by means of ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The effects of NGF-PBCA-NP on proliferation and cell apoptosis of β1-40-PC12 cells were observed by MTT and FCM methods. Results The NGF-PBCA-NPs were uniform spheres with drug entrapment efficiency of 80.87％ and loading efficiency of 19.88％.Compared with the cells in the NGF group,cells in the NGF-PBCA-NP group exhibited a significantly better proliferation rate and a significantly lower apoptosis rate (P＜0.05). Conclusion NGF-PBCA-NPs obtained by emulsion polymerization method are uniform in morphology and possess a high drug entrapment efficiency and a high loading efficiency.They can restrain significantly the in vitro growth of Aβ1-40-PC12.

Objective To evaluate the treatment time and the anterior and posterior teeth movement pattern as closing extraction space for the Class Ⅲ surgical patients facilitated by accelerated osteogenic orthodontic treatment.Methods There were 10 skeletal Class Ⅲ patients in accelerated osteogenic orthodontic group (AOO) and 10 patients in control group.Upper first premolars were extracted in all patients.After leveling and alignment(T2),corticotomy was performed in the area of maxillary anterior teeth to accelerate space closing.Study models of upper dentition were taken before orthodontic treatment(T1) and after space closing(T3).All the casts were laser scanned,and the distances of the movement of incisors and molars were digitally measured.The distances of tooth movement in two groups were recorded and analyzed.Results The alignment time between two groups was not statistically significant.The treatment time in AOO group from T2 to T3 was less than that in the control group (less than 9.1 ± 4.1 months).The treatment time in AOO group from T1 to T3 was less than that in the control group (less than 6.3 ± 4.8 months),and the differences were significant(P ＜ 0.01).Average distances of upper incisor movement (D1) in AOO group and control group were (2.89 1.48) and (3.10 ±0.95) mm,respectively.Average distances of upper first molar movement(D2) in AOO group and control group were (2.17 ± 1.13) and (2.45 ± 1.04) mm,respectively.No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Accelerated osteogenic orthodontic treatment could accelerate space closing in Class Ⅲ surgical patients and shorten preoperative orthodontic time.There were no influence on the movement pattern of anterior aud posterior teeth during pre-surgical orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the results and experiences on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for post-cardiac surgery of coronary artery disease.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to November 2006, sixteen patients with the mean age of (58 +/- 11) years old undergoing cardiac surgical procedures were placed on ECMO using a heparin-bonded circuit. Fourteen patients were male and two patients were female. Thirteen patients underwent on pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and three patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The duration of ECMO support, stay of intensive care unit (ICU stay), complications and turnovers were recorded.

RESULTSThe mean duration of ECMO support was 51 hours, and the mean duration of ICU stay was 5 days. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were successfully weaned form ECMO, ten patients (62.5%) were discharged from hospital. The main complications were bleeding, infection, renal failure and ischemia of the lower limbs with the incidence of 18.8%, 37.5%, 25% and 18.8% respectively.

CONCLUSIONECMO is an acceptable technique for shortterm treatment of refractory low cardiac output after cardiac surgery of coronary artery disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; therapy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Care ; Treatment Outcome