OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in expression of the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas receptor axis' components that occur during progression of liver fibrosis using a rat model system.

METHODSThirty-six adult male Wistar rats, were randomly assigned to groups of normal control (n = 6; no manipulation) and liver fibrosis (n = 30; given a subcutaneous injection of 40% chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)). At post-injection days 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75, 1 control rat and 6 modeled rats were sacrificed for analysis. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue was performed with hematoxylin-eosin and rapid Masson staining. Protein expression level of Ang(1-7) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and of ACE2 and Mas receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of ACE2 and Mas receptor.

RESULTSThe expression levels of ACE2, Ang(1-7) and Mas receptor showed a statistically significant upward trend that followed the progression of fibrosis up to post-injection day 60 (P less than 0.01), but the significant increase was not seen from day 60 to day 75.

CONCLUSIONEach component of the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/Mas receptor axis shows differential expression during the development of liver fibrosis and may contribute to disease progression.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate relationship between iron deficiency of different degrees and physical performance and habitual activity of migrant schoolchildren at the age of 11-14 years.

METHODSNinety one randomly selected schoolchildren were divided into three groups according to their iron status. Iron status including hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI) and sTfR was determined. Physical performance tests included maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and maximum work time. Energy expenditure (EE) and daily physical activity were estimated by recording 24-h heart rate (HR). Dietary intake was assessed with frequency questionnaires, and physical activity level was estimated with frequency and physical activity questionnaires.

RESULTSSevere iron deficiency (IDA) impaired the aerobic capacity and habitual physical activity. When fat-free mass (FFM) was considered, VO2max (VO2max/FFM) was significantly lower in the iron-marginal group than in the iron-adequate groups among girls (P = 0.02), but such a deference was not found among boys (P = 0.28). Aerobic activity and EE at leisure were significantly lower in the severe iron deficient group than in the marginal iron deficient and iron adequate groups. Net HR at leisure time was correlated with Hb, log SF, body weight, and FFM (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe functional effect of iron deficiency on physical performance and habitual physical activity rely on the degree of current iron deficiency. Severe iron deficiency significantly impairs both aerobic capacity and habitual physical activity. Iron-marginal deficiency impairs VO2max/FFM in girls, rather than in boys.

Adolescent ; Body Composition ; Body Size ; Child ; China ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Iron ; blood ; deficiency ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Physical Fitness ; physiology ; Schools ; Suburban Population ; Time Factors ; Transients and Migrants

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of different concentration of Tamoxifen ointment on the fibroblasts and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta2) of hypertrophic scar at rabbit ears, so as to explore the possibility of treatment of hypertrophic scar with Tamoxifen.

METHODSThe hypertrophic scar model was established in 96 New Zealand rabbits' ears. The wounds were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), with 144 wounds in each group. Different concentration of tamoxifen ointment (0.5%, 1%, 2%) was topically administered in groups A, B and C respectively, and blank ointment in group D. On postoperative day 30, 60 and 90, the scar samples were harvested. The scar thickness, scar histological change and the content of TGF-beta2 were detected.

RESULTS(1) On the 30th day after operation, the difference of scar tissue thickness among groups A, D and B, C reached statistical significance (group A, D < group B < group C). However, there was a contrary tendency in fibroblasts density and TGF-beta2 content of the scar tissue simultaneously. (2) On 60th, 90th day after injury, there was statistical difference in scar thickness, fibroblasts density and the content of TGF-beta2 in scar of four groups (P < 0.05). The content of TGF-beta2 in group A, B, C, D was (43.97 +/- 3.63) microg/L, (41.92 +/- 3.91) microg/L, (36.69 +/- 4.15) microg/L, (54.90 +/- 4.71) microg/L, respectively, on 60th day; and (45.69 +/- 2.63) microg/L, (40.43 +/- 3.87) microg/L, (38.76 +/- 3.24) microg/L, (52.59 +/- 4.92) microg/L, respectively, on 90th day. The fibroblasts density of scar in groups A, B, C, D was (4392.07 +/- 327.84) point/mm2, (4208.57 +/- 329.76) point/mm2 (4 033.44 +/- 427.91) point/mm2, (4863.03 +/- 387.98) point/mm2, respectively, on 60th day; and (4418.41 +/- 432.52) point/mm2, (4077.65 +/- 386.70) point/mm2, (3844.53 +/- 354.29) point/mm2, (4838.64 +/- 390.52) point/mm2, respectively, on 90th day. The content of TGF-beta2 and fibroblasts density of scar were lined up as group D > group A > group B > group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTopical Tamoxifen can reduce the content of TGF-beta2 and fibroblast, decrease fibroblasts density and the formation of hypertrophic scar at rabbit ears. It offers a new way for the treatment of the hypertrophic scar.

Animals ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ear Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Ointments ; Rabbits ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; metabolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEResearch has confirmed that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is one of the cytokines related to radiation pneumonitis. But the level of TGF-beta1 in serum needed to predict radiation pneumonitis is still not clear. This study assessed the value of TGF-beta1 in both serum and induced sputum in predicting radiation pneumonitis, providing a reference for the radiotherapy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSA total of 23 patients with NSCLC treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in our department between November 2007 and January 2009 were analyzed and evaluated. TGF-beta1 levels in both serum and sputum were detected before and near the end of radiotherapy for all the patients. The TGF-beta1 level in serum was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunocytochemistry assays were used to detect TGF-beta1 expression in sputum sediment. Radiation pneumonitis was graded according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiation scoring criteria every 3 weeks from the start to 3 months after the end of treatment.

RESULTSRadiation pneumonitis was noted in 9 patients in this cohort. The total incidence of radiation pneumonitis was 39.1% (9/23) and those with Grade II or worse was 30.4% (7/23). The absolute TGF-beta1 level in serum after radiotherapy was higher than before radiotherapy, but there was no statistical difference (P = 0.139). Patients with increased levels of TGF-beta1 had a higher incidence of radiation pneumonitis (45.5%) than those with decreased TGF-beta1 levels post-radiotherapy (40.0%). Though there was a tendency of higher incidence of radiation pneumonitis with increases in TGF-beta1 level, no statistical difference was found (P = 1.000). Patients with tumor response had higher incidence of radiation pneumonitis (50.0%) than patients without when TGF-beta1 levels in serum increased, but there was no statistical difference (P = 0.792). TGF-beta1 was positively expressed (brown yellow) in sputum on immunocytochemistry assays and located in the cytoplasm of either macrophages or epithelial cells. Macrophages were the main cells expressing TGF-beta1. A significantly higher positive expression rate (71.4%) was found in sputum post-radiotherapy than pre-radiotherapy (28.6%) (P = 0.015). The higher incidence of radiation pneumonitis (46.7%) was found in patients with positive TGF-beta1 expression in sputum post-radiotherapy than those with negative expression post-radiotherapy (14.3%) (P = 0.193).

CONCLUSIONIt may be more reasonable to predict radiation pneumonitis by combining the change of TGF-beta1 levels in serum with tumor response than just the change of TGF-beta1 levels in serum alone. TGF-beta1 can positively express in the sputum of patients with NSCLC, located in macrophages and epithelial cells, with macrophages as the main areas of expression. Patients with positively expressed TGF-beta1 in sputum after radiotherapy have a higher incidence of radiation pneumonitis than those with negative expressions. The positive expression of TGF-beta1 in sputum is expected to become a factor for predicting radiation pneumonitis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; blood ; etiology ; metabolism ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; adverse effects ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the -308G/A, -857C/T and -1031T/C of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNF- alpha), -174G/C and -572C/G of interleukin-6 gene (IL-6) polymorphisms and schizophrenia.

METHODSGenomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood leukocytes of 346 unrelated patients with schizophrenia and 323 healthy unrelated individuals (control group). All of the polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by SPSS13.0 software.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in both allele and genotype frequencies of -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene between the schizophrenia and control groups (P< 0.05). The allele T of -857C/T in schizophrenia group was significantly higher than that in control group (chi-square was 9.414, P=0.002, OR=1.511, 95%CI:1.160-1.969). In addition, there were significant differences in the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) total score and negative symptoms between the patients with different -857C/T genotypes, and the negative symptom score of TT genotype was significantly higher than that of CC genotype (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is an association between -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene and schizophrenia, individuals with T allele of -857C/T are susceptible to schizophrenia, and there is an association between -857C/T and negative symptom score.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; Young Adult

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B ; classification ; drug effects ; genetics ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the localization and positive percentage of progesterone receptor (PR) on the human sperm surface.

METHODSAfter in vitro capacitation, progesterone binding sites on the sperm were quantitatively analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bovine serum albumin-progesterone complex (P-BSA-FITC).

RESULTSThe spermatozoa stained by P-BSA-FITC mainly showed two labeling patterns, with the green fluorescence on the whole acrosomal region or the equatorial acrosomal region only and the stainless postacrosomal and tail regions. The percentage of progesterone-binding sperm was (30.2 +/- 2.4)%.

CONCLUSIONSThere is selective expression of PR on the human sperm acrosome surface.

Adult ; Cell Membrane ; chemistry ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Spermatozoa ; chemistry

Objective:To investigate the effect of vector sum concept in fine-tuning posterior column screw channel via ilioinguinal approach for the treatment of bi-column acetabular fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 42 patients with acetabular double column fracture admitted to Weifang People′s Hospital from July 2015 to May 2021, including 22 males and 20 females, aged 23-77 years [(49.3±16.3)years]. The ilioinguinal approach was used in all patients with the anterior column fixed with a plate and posterior column fixed with a lag screw. The vector sum concept was used intraoperatively to fine-tune the posterior column screw channel in 19 patients (channel fine-tuning group): namely, a 2.5 mm Kirschner wire was inserted into the bony channel of the posterior column screw under fluoroscopy of iliac oblique and obturator oblique positions; when the Kirschner wire was not located in the middle of the ischial ramus under single fluoroscopy, the vector only needed to be adjusted in one direction, with zero in the other direction; when the Kirschner wire was not located in the middle of the ischial ramus under fluoroscopy of both the iliac oblique and obturator obturator oblique positions, the sum of the deviation vectors in the two directions was calculated before fine-tuning. The vector sum concept was not used to fine-tune the posterior column channel screw in 23 patients (channel non-fine-tuning group). The time of posterior column screw placement, intraoperative blood loss, frequency of guide wire adjustment and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. At 6 months after operation, the quality of fracture reduction and hip function were assessed by Matta score and Merle D′Aubigne-Postel score, respectively. The complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 7-71 months [(35.7±8.5)months]. In channel fine-tuning group, the time of posterior column screw placement was (5.1±1.5)minutes, with intraoperative blood loss of (798.8±83.9)ml, frequency of guide wire adjustment of (1.8±0.5)times and fracture healing time of (12.4±3.2)weeks; while these parameters [(39.8±12.0)minutes, (1 119.3±172.0)ml, (5.6±1.6)times and (15.6±4.2)weeks] were significantly shorter or less in channel non-fine-tuning group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant difference in the quality of fracture reduction and hip function between the two groups at 6 months postoperatively (all P>0.05). After operation, symptoms of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was found in seven patients, superficial incision infection in two who was healed after debridement and dressing change, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs in three. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups [channel fine-tuning group: 26%(5/19), channel non-fine-tuning group: 30%(7/23)] ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For bi-column acetabular fractures via ilioinguinal approach, application of vector and concept to fine-tune the posterior column screw channel is beneficial for rapid screw placement into the osseous channel, significant reduction of intraoperative blood loss and early fracture healing.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the reasons for bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and to determine the effect of multiple treatment after BDI.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was performed. The medical records of 110 patients diagnosed with BDI after LC from October 1993 to November 2007, in ten large hospitals in Guangdong of China, were reviewed.

RESULTSAmong 110 patients with BDI, 58 cases (52.7%) were local patients, whereas 52 cases (47.3%) were transferred from outside hospitals. Reasons for BDI following LC were: (1) Lack of experience of the LC operator (48.2%); (2) LC performed during acute cholecystitis (20.0%); (3) The structure of Calot triangle was unclear (15.5%); (4) Variable anatomical position (11.8%); (5) Intra-operation bleeding (4.5%). The commonest sites of injury were the choledochus and common hepatic duct (76.4%). Following BDI, endoscopic stenting or operative repair was performed in 106 patients. The overall success rate was 95.3% (101/106), with a mortality rate was 0.9% (1/106). Cholangitis occurred in 3.8% (4/106) cases. Choledocho-enterostomy operation was performed in almost 60.0% (63/106) cases, and the success rate was 93.7% (59/63). Endoscopic stenting or operative repair was performed immediately following BDI in 23.6% (25/106) patients, the success rate was 100%; and within 30 days in 63.2% (67/106) patients. Eighty-eight out of 106 patients who underwent repair were successful following the first operative procedure.

CONCLUSIONSFactors such as an un-experienced operator and unclear anatomical position were causes of BDI following LC. Early operative repair should be regarded as the treatment of choice, in patients diagnosed with BDI. Early refer to an experienced hepatobiliary operator ensures a high success rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Ducts ; injuries ; surgery ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Intraoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies