OBJECTIVETo study the risk factors of male infertility.

METHODCase control study including 94 cases and control group with a ratio of 1 to 1.

RESULTSThe risk factors of male infertility were long time heavy smoking habit (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.95 - 6.10), illegal sexual intercourse (OR = 7.29, 95% CI: 2.54 - 20.89), growing vegetable under plastic in higher temperature (OR = 6.73, 95% CI: 1.91 - 23.69), contact with benzene chemicals (OR = 20.53, 95% CI: 4.67 - 90.25) and having Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection (OR = 5.55, 95% CI: 2.28 - 13.53).

CONCLUSIONMale infertility was resulted from many factors repeatedly acting on men for long time. In order to prevent male infertility, issues as environmental pollution, occupational protection need to be improved while bad working condition and risky behavior should be changed.

Adult ; Benzene ; toxicity ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Pollution ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Ureaplasma Infections ; complications ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

In this paper, we studied the relationship between the prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha))-induced cardiac hypertrophy and calcineurin (CaN) signal transduction pathway in vivo and in vitro. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single i.p. injection with monocrotaline (MCT) (60 mg/kg) and then given orally with celecoxib (20 mg/kg) or vehicle once a day for 14 d before (from d 1 to d 14) or after (from d 15 to d 28) right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) was formed. Body weight (BW), right ventricular weight (RV), left ventricular with septum weight (LV), as well as lung weight were determined. RVH index (RVHI=RV/LV), RV/BW, and lung weight/BW were calculated and histological changes were observed with transmission electron microscope. PGF(2alpha) level, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and CaN mRNA expressions, expression of CaN and its downstream effectors, NFAT(3) and GATA(4) protein were assayed by EIA kit, RT-PCR, and Western blotting, respectively. The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in primary culture induced by PGF(2alpha) (0.1 micromol/L) was evaluated by measuring the cell diameter, protein content, and ANP mRNA as well as CaN mRNA expressions. It was found that 14 d or 28 d after MCT was given, the RVHI, RV/BW, and lung weight/BW were significantly increased by 47%, 53% and 118%, and by 64%, 94% and 156%, respectively; at the same time PGF(2alpha) levels in RV tissue were increased by 44% and by 51% with increasing RVHI, and elevated expressions of ANP and CaN mRNA, as well as CaN, NFAT(3) and GATA(4) proteins in a positive correlation manner. Furthermore, some histological injuries were found in RV tissue. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, obviously blunted the elevation of RVHI, RV/BW, and lung weight/BW no matter it was given before or after RVH. In vitro experiments showed that 0.1 micromol/L PGF(2alpha) significantly increased the cardiomyocyte diameter and protein content, and promoted ANP and CaN mRNA expressions, which was blocked by cyclosporin A, a CaN inhibitor. Our results indicate that PGF(2alpha) may be involved in cardiac hypertrophy induced by MCT in rats through CaN signal transduction pathway.
Animals ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dinoprost ; metabolism ; physiology ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Monocrotaline ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

This study investigated the accuracy of MRI features in differentiating the pathological grades of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs).A total of 31 PNENs patients were retrospectively evaluated,including 19 cases in grade 1,5 in grade 2,and 7 in grade 3.Plain and contrastenhanced MRI was performed on all patients.MRI features including tumor size,margin,signal intensity,enhancement patterns,degenerative changes,duct dilatation and metastasis were analyzed.Chi square tests,Fisher's exact tests,one-way ANOVA and ROC analysis were conducted to assess the associations between MRI features and different tumor grades.It was found that patients with older age,tumors with higher TNM stage and without hormonal syndrome had higher grade of PNETs (all P＜0.05).Tumor size,shape,margin and growth pattern,tumor pattern,pancreatic and bile duct dilatation and presence of lymphatic and distant metastasis as well as MR enhancement pattern and tumor-topancreas contrast during arterial phase were the key features differentiating tumors of all grades (all P＜0.05).ROC analysis revealed that the tumor size with threshold of 2.8 cm,irregular shape,pancreatic duct dilatation and lymphadenopathy showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing grade 3 from grade 1 and grade 2 tumors.Features ofperipancreatic tissue or vascular invasion,and distant metastasis showed high specificity but relatively low sensitivity.In conclusion,larger size,poorlydefined margin,heterogeneous enhanced pattern during arterial phase,duct dilatation and the presence of metastases are common features of higher grade PNENs.Plain and contrast-enhanced MRI provides the ability to differentiate tumors with different pathological grades.

Objective To observe the effect of glycoprotein receptor blockade tirofiban in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients without ST segment resolution after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods From April 2006 to April 2008, 157 acute anterior myocardial infarction patients without ST segment resolution after PCI were randomly allocated to tirofiban (intravenous bolus 10 fig/kg followed by intravenous infusion of 0. 15 μg·kg-1·min-1 for 48 h, n =80) or equal volume saline (control group, n =77). Baseline characteristics, PCI features and clinical outcomes during hospitalization, left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, re-infarction and target vessel revascularization) at 30 and 180 days after discharge were compared between the two groups. Results The baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Compared to control group, the MACE rates and re-infarction rates at 30 days (6. 3% vs. 18. 2% , P < 0.05; 1.3% vs. 9. 1%, P<0.05, respectively) and 180 days (10.0% vs. 23. 4% , P<0.05; 2.5% vs. 10.4% , P < 0. 05, respectively ) were significantly reduced in tirofiban group. LVEF value was significantly higher in tirofiban group at 30 days and 180 days compared with those in control group [ (51 ± 6)% vs. (46±8)%, P<0.05; (57±7)% vs. (50±9)%, P<0.05]. Hemorrhagic complications were similar between the two groups. Conclusion Use of tirofiban for acute anterior myocardial infarction patients without ST segment resolution after PCI is safe and can significantly improve 30 and 180 days clinical outcomes after discharge.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of home nurture environment on language development and social emotion in children with developmental language disorder (DLD).

METHODSThe 1-3 Years Child Home Nurture Environment Scale, Gesell Developmental Scale, and Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment Scale were used for the evaluation of 125 children with DLD. A total of 130 children with normal language development matched for age and sex were enrolled as control group.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the DLD group had a significantly higher proportion of children in a bad home nurture environment and significantly lower scores of all domains of home nurture environment (P<0.05). In children with DLD, the home nurture environment score was positively correlated with the level of language development (r=0.536, P<0.01) and the score of ability domain in social emotion (r=0.397, P<0.01) and was negatively correlated with the scores of the domains of explicit behavior, covert behavior, and imbalance in social emotion (r=-0.455, -0.438, and -0.390 respectively, P<0.01). Home nurture environment had direct influence on language development in children with DLD and affected their language development via the mediating effect of social emotion.

CONCLUSIONSHome nurture environment influences language development and social emotion in children with DLD, and social emotion has a partial mediating effect between home nurture environment and language development.

Child, Preschool ; Emotions ; Environment ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Language Development ; Language Development Disorders ; psychology ; Male ; Social Behavior

This study was aimed to investigate the clinical value of quantification of AML1/ETO fusion transcripts using real-time reverse transcription PCR. Fourteen AML1/ETO positive children out of 52 AML children were selected. A serial dilution of AML1/ETO plasmid was used as a template for the AML1/ETO real-time PCR. AML1/ETO was quantified according to the expression of the GAPDH housekeeping gene at new diagnosis and during/after chemotherapy and transplantation. SPSS statistics was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the ratio of AML1/ETO: GAPDH expression level at new diagnosis varied in the range 0.219-2.080 (median 0.648) among the patients, without relevance with percentage of blasts. The detection sensitivity was up to the dilution of 1:10(5). Six patients showed a slight decline of AML1/ETO (higher than 5 x 10(-2)) at 1 month, three of whom relapsed in the early stage and one later. Five patients had a higher level than 5 x 10(-3) at 3 months, three of whom relapsed. Four patients with always a higher level than 5 x 10(-3) all relapsed in early stage. After six months, four out of them with constant low-level expression (10(-4) - 10(-6)) were in continuous complete hematological remission (CCR). In another patient, a rapid rise of AML1/ETO transcripts could be detected at CR stage and he relapsed 5 months later. The AML1/ETO gene expression leveling off by 10(-5) - 10(-6) could be detected in 3 patients at their complete remission after 9 months. It is concluded that real-time RT-PCR is a suitable approach for quantifying AML1/ETO transcripts in monitoring of AML patients with t(8;21) during/after chemotherapy and provides data of diagnostic relevance.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo discuss the expression and significance of caspase-3 gene in the apoptotic muscle cells in gamma-radiation-induced muscle cell lines.

METHODSThe caspase-3 mRNA in the control and gamma-radiation induced apoptotic muscle cells was analysed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of caspase-3 gene transcript was higher in 103Pd radioactive stent dog bile duct than in general stent dog bile duct, and apoptotic muscle cells were higher in 103Pd radioactive stent dog bile duct than in general stent dog bile duct.

CONCLUSIONSThe high level expression of caspase-3 gene may help to understand the muscle cells sensitivity to gamma-radiation apoptosis. 103Pd radioactive stent may increase the expression of caspase-3 gene in dog bile duct and prevent the billiary narrow when dog bile duct was injured by balloon.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Bile Ducts ; enzymology ; radiation effects ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Dogs ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Palladium ; administration & dosage ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stents

Objective To analyze epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Qingpu District of Shanghai and provide evidence for prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods The COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the medical facilities in Qingpu District were included in the study.Descriptive epidemiology was employed to describe diagnosis, clinical symptoms and possible exposure. Results There were 53 suspected cases identified in Qingpu District, 47 of which were excluded and 6 were confirmed.Two confirmed cases were identified when seeking medical treatment and 4 by other means.Of the confirmed cases, 83.3% were male and 66.7% were imported.Their initial symptom was mainly cough.The 75.0% of the confirmed cases had underlying diseases.By PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2, 100.0% of the sputum specimens tested positive, 50.0% of the nasopharyngeal swabs were positive, whereas 100.0% of the throat swabs were negative. Conclusion COVID-19 is more common in men than in women.The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 in sputum samples is highest, followed by nasopharyngeal swabs and throat swabs.It is crucial to implement the countermeasures at earlier stages, such as strengthening the road entrance monitoring, at-home or intensive health observation of foreign visitors for early identification of suspected COVID-19 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) combined with direct bilirubin (DB) in the diagnosis of biliary atresia. METHODS: A total of 667 infants with cholestasis who were hospitalized and treated from July 2010 to December 2018 were enrolled as subjects. According to the results of intraoperative cholangiography and follow-up, they were divided into biliary atresia group with 234 infants and cholestasis group with 433 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of age of onset, sex, and serum levels of total bilirubin (TB), DB, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bile acid (TBA), and GGT. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for indices with statistical significance, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off value for diagnosis were calculated. RESULTS: The biliary atresia group had a significantly younger age of onset than the cholestasis group (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in sex, ALT, and AST between the two groups (P>0.05), while the biliary atresia group had significantly higher serum levels of TB, DB, TBA, and GGT than the cholestasis group (P<0.05). GGT combined with DB had the highest AUC of 0.892 (95% confidence interval: 0.868-0.916) in the diagnosis of biliary atresia. At the optimal cut-off values of 324.0 U/L for GGT and 115.1 μmmol/L for DB, GGT combined with DB had a sensitivity of 79.8% and a specificity of 83.2% in the diagnosis of biliary atresia. CONCLUSIONS GGT combined with DB has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of biliary atresia and can be used as an effective indicator for diagnosis of biliary atresia in infants.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biliary Atresia ; diagnosis ; Bilirubin ; Humans ; Infant ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical efficacy of interactive group sandplay versus individual sandplay in the treatment of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: A total of 80 ASD children, aged 4-6 years, were enrolled and randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 40 children in each group. The children in the experimental group joined group sandplay with normal children at a ratio of 1: 3, and those in the control group were treated with individual sandplay. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) were used to evaluate the treatment outcome after three months of intervention. RESULTS: There were 33 children in the experimental group and 28 in the control group. After three months of intervention, the experimental group had significant reductions in the scores of irritability, social withdrawal, and stereotypic behavior and the total score of the ABC scale (P<0.05), and the control group had significant reductions in the scores of behavior and inappropriate speech and the total score of the ABC scale (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in the score of social withdrawal and the total score of the ABC scale after three months of intervention (P<0.05). After three months of intervention, the experimental group had significant reductions in the scores of sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, and physical/health behavior and the total score of the ATEC scale (P<0.05), and the control group had significant reductions in the scores of speech, sociability, and physical/health behavior and the total score of the ATEC scale (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in the scores of speech, sociability, and sensory and cognitive awareness and the total score of the ATEC scale after intervention (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group also had significantly greater improvements in eye contact and sand stereotyped arrangement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both interactive group sandplay and individual sandplay are effective in the treatment of ASD in preschool children. Interactive group sandplay is better than individual sandplay in the treatment of ASD, with significant improvements in sociability, emotion and stereotypic behavior.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Emotions ; Humans ; Play Therapy ; Treatment Outcome