OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the deleted azoospermia (DAZ) gene copy related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with male spermatogenic impairment.

METHODSThis study included 121 infertile men with different de- grees of spermatogenic impairment and 95 healthy donors from the sperm bank. Using PCR, PCR-RFLP, and Y chromosome specific sequence tagged sites (STS) , we analyzed the association of DAZ gene copy deletions related to gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions in the AZFc region with spermatogenic impairment.

RESULTSThere were 15 cases of gr/gr deletion (12. 40% ) and 6 cases of b2/b3 deletion (4.96%) in the infertility group as compared with 13 cases of gr/gr deletion (13.68%) and 1 case of b2/b3 deletion (1.05%) in the control. Analysis of the DAZ-specific single nucleotide variant (SNV) loci revealed 11 gr/gr-DAZI/DAZ2 deletions (9.09%), 4 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (3.31%), and 6 b2/b3-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (4.96%) in the infertile men in comparison with 3 gr/ gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (3.16%), 10 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions (10.53%), and 1 b2/b3- DAZ3/DAZ4 deletion (1.05%) in the control.

CONCLUSIONPartial deletions of gr/gr and b2/b3 exist in both healthy men and male patients with different degrees of spermatogenic impairment and cannot be considered as a risk factor for spermatogenesis impairment. However, deletions of different DAZ duplicons in gr/gr and b2/b3 deletions have different effects on spermatogenesis. DAZ1/DAZ2 instead of DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions might be associated with spermatogenesis impairment.

Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Male ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

Objective To compare the accuracy of 64-slice spiral coronary angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the detection of functionally relevant coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Twenty patients diagnosed as CAD and 11 suspected CAD were studied. Both 64-slice spiral CTA and MPI images were analyzed. For the evaluation of CTA,luminal narrowing ≥50% and ＜50% were visually assessed. Perfusion defects on MPI were detected and allocated to their corresponding coronary vessels.Results Among total 124 coronary vessels, CTA detected stenoses ≥50% in 23 arteries, and 7 showed perfusion defects in the corresponding myocardial areas on MPI. Ten of 101 vessels had stenoses＜50%,and no perfusion defects in the corresponding myocardial areas was found on MPI. There was difference between the degree of coronary artery stenoses and the risk probabilities of myocardial ischemia (χ~2=6.667, P=0.01). No statistical difference was detected between the coronary artery stenoses site and the risk probabilities of myocardial ischemia (χ~2=6.839, P=0.065). The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of 64-slice spiral CTA in detecting perfusion defects on MPI was 41.18%, 85.05%, 90.01% and 30.43%, respectively.Conclusion 64-slice spiral CTA can display important morphologic information of coronary arteries, but with a low positive predictive value. MPI can be used as an important method to evaluate the change of heart function resulted from CAD.

Objective To study the CT and MRI findings of hemorrhagic and necrotic nasal polyps. Methods The imaging data of 17 cases with hemorrhagic and necrotic nasal polyps confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively. CT was performed in 14 cases, MRI in 16 cases, of which 15 also underwent contrast-enhanced MRI. Results All 17 lesions with well-circumscribed margin originated in the areas of maxillary sinus ostia and extended into adjacent nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. The lesions appeared as lobular shape in 16 cases and oval shape in 1 case. On non-enhanced CT, 14 lesions showed heterogenous soft tissue density masses, the hyperdense strip and nodule were detected on the periphery and in the center of 2 lesions respectively. All the involved bony walls were compressed and remodeled with focal defect,especially in the medial wall of maxillary sinus. On MRI, all 16 lesions revealed inhomogenous signal. The central region of the lesions appeared hypointense signal on T_1WI compared to gray matter and hyperintense signal on T_2WI with line-like hypointense signal septa in 14 cases, the irregular hypointense signal rims were also found on the periphery of 15 lesions on T_2WI, postcontrast MR imaging showed strongly inhomogenous enhancing masses with non-enhancing hypointense rim, the appearances of enhancement showed multiple nodules in 10 cases, patches in 4 cases and leaf-like in 1 case. The typical simple polyps were present in the ipsilateral nasal cavity of the lesions in 4 cases, extending into nasal vestibule anteriorly and choana posteriorly. On dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in 11 cases, the timeintensity curves (TIC) showed increasing enhancement type in 7 cases and rapid enhancement and slow wash-out type in 4 cases. Conclusion The inhomogenous hyperintensity surrounded by the peripheral hypointense rim on MR T_2WI and marked nodular and patchy enhancement appearance are typical features of hemorrhagic and necrotic nasal polyps. CT is helpful to judge the nature of lesions, but difficultly confirms the diagnosis, while MRI should be the imaging modality of first choice for hemorrhagic and necrotic nasal polyps.

Objective To optimize the preparation of nanoparticles (NP) encapsulating antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) and investigate the effects on inhibition of C6 glioma cells. Methods ASODN coated in NT were prepared by interfacial polymerization of butyleyanoacrylate (BCA). Inverted microscope was used to observe the viability of C6 cells transfected by free ASODN, ASODN in NP, ASODN-NP (ASODN sticking to NP) and BCA-NP, respectively. Cell cycle of C6 cells was studied by flow cytometry (FCM), and CCK-8 assay was performed to examine the cytotoxicity and proliferation of C6 cells. Results Compared with the control group, all groups, except BCA-NP group, after transfection with NPs appeared cell morphological changes; C6 cells were detached from the matrix, the cell density was reduced and the cell viability was poor; ASODN in NP group was most significant in a time-dependent manner. The cell cycle in ASODN-in-NP group varied obviously compared with the BCA-NP group, and the number of the cells in the GO/GI phase was increased and the cell number in S phase was decreased significantly (P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 assay showed that all groups, but BCA-NP group, produced the inhibition of the cell proliferation to different degrees, and the inhibitory effect was increased with the final concentration increment, especially remarkably in ASODN-in-NP group (P<0.05). Conclusion ASODN in NP can inhibit the proliferation and cause cell cycle changes of C6 cells effectively after transfected with ASODN in NP, exerting significantly growth inhibitory effect on C6 glioma cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the day of embryo transfer (day 2 or day 3) affects clinical pregnancy outcomes in poor responder patients.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the pregnancy rates of 265 initial fresh cycles of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), all transferred on day 2 (n = 169) or day 3 (n = 96) irrespective of quality because of an extremely low number of available embryos.

RESULTSAmong the poor responders aged < 35 years, a higher rate of clinical pregnancy was achieved in the day-3 than in the day-2 group (50% vs 32.43% ; RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43 - 0.99), and among those aged years, the two groups showed similar pregnancy outcomes.

CONCLUSIONShortening the time of embryo culture has no obvious benefit for the pregnancy outcome. For the poor responders under 35 years of age, day-3 embryo transfer may afford an even higher rate of clinical pregnancy.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Ovary ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the effect of jugular tubercle thickness on pathogenesis of hemifacial spasm (HFS) and its curative efficacy by microvascular decompression (MVD).Methods:One hundred and thirty-five HFS patients accepted MVD in our hospital from June 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled in this study. The thickness of the jugular tubercle was measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with steady state acquisition (FIESTA) sequence. The differences of jugular tubercle thickness and arterial flow rate from the jugular tubercle to the brainstem between the healthy side and symptomatic side in these patients were compared. These patients were divided into immediate symptom-relief group ( n=112) and symptom residual group ( n=23) according to the symptom relief one d after MVD; the difference of jugular tubercle thickness between the two groups were compared. Results:No significant difference in the jugular tubercle thickness was noted between the healthy side and the symptomatic side in all 135 patients ( t=0.787, P=0.432). The arterial flow rate from the jugular tubercle to the brainstem in the symptomatic side (95.6%) was significantly higher than that in the healthy side (57.0%, P<0.05). The jugular tubercle thickness in the symptomatic residual group ([5.13±2.19] mm) was significantly higher than that in the immediate symptom-relief group ([4.03±1.16] mm, t=2.114, P=0.0396). Conclusion:The thickness of jugular tubercle is not associated with HFS onset, but may affect the immediate outcome of MVD.

OBJECTIVETo estimate the frequency of injections and proportion of unsafe injections and to analyses the critical determinants of poor injection practices in general population in China. Also, to study knowledge, attitudes, practice research in providers and general population.

METHODSA random sample consisting residents and health care providers in a rural county was elected and interview about the frequency of received injection, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding injections were studied.

RESULTSOverall, 1 004 village residents, and 94 providers were interviewed. Among residents, 145 persons (14.4%), with 457 times (0.46 times per person) had received at least one injection during the previous 3 months. The frequency of injection was 1.84 per year. The proportion of received injections on treatment and immunizations was significantly different among > 12 years age group and < or = 12 years age group. Ninety-four point four percent of disposable syringes/needles were used for injections. Knowledge among the population and providers regarding injection safety was limited.

CONCLUSIONInjections were moderately frequent in this rural area and the proportions of disposable syringes/needles used for injections was very high. Knowledge of safe injection and reasonable injection as well as consciousness of self-protection in the providers and residents need to be improved.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disposable Equipment ; statistics & numerical data ; Equipment Reuse ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections ; adverse effects ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health Services ; Safety ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syringes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quantity and the pathway to damage hematopoietic cells of CD8+CD25+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+ effector T cells in peripheral blood (PB) of severe aplastic anemia(SAA) patients and explore the immunopathogenesis of SAA.

METHODSThe quantity of CD8+ CD25+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+ cells in PB and the expressions of perforin, granzyme B, tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta) and FasL in 29 SAA (14 untreated and 15 recovered) patients and 12 normal controls were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe fraction of CD8+ CD25+ T cells in CD8+ T cells was (3.67 +/- 2.58)% in untreated SAA patients, (5.19 +/- 4. 29)% in recovered patients and (4.84 +/- 2.31)% in normal controls, and that of CD8+ CD25+ T cells in CD3+ cells in the three groups was (2.25 +/- 1.35)%, (2.98 +/- 1.35)% and (2.11 +/- 1.88)%, respectively. They had no statistic difference among the 3 groups (P >0.05). The fraction of CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells in CD8+ T cells was (39.30 +/- 8.13)% in untreated patients, which was significantly higher than that in recovered patients [(20.65 +/- 5.38)%] and controls [(18.34 +/- 6.68)%] (P<0.001), while there was no statistic difference between the latter two groups (P>0.05). CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells in CD3+ cells was (27.81 +/- 7.10)% in untreated group, which was significantly higher than that of recovered group [(12.02 +/- 3.03)%] and controls [(8.50 +/-2.33)%] (P<0.01). And that in recovered group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The expressions of perforin, granzyme B, TNF-beta and FasL of CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells in untreated group were 8.51%, 96.08%, 72.11% and 94.25% respectively, which were higher than those in recovered group (1.78%, 85.20%, 34.38% and 51.20%) and controls (1.86%, 82.09% ,17.92% and 32.91%). There was no statistic difference between recovered patients and controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were elevated quantity of CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells and high expressions of perforin, granzyme B, TNF-beta and FasL in SAA, which might contribute to the bone marrow failure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphotoxin-alpha ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3B1 (ALDH3B1) in gastric cancer and explore its correlation with the pathological parameters and long-term prognosis of the patients. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our hospital between January, 2013 and November, 2016, and examined the expression of ALDH3B1 in paraffin-embedded samples of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues from these cases by immunohistochemical staining. We evaluated the correlation between ALDH3B1 expressions and histopathological parameters and assessed the predictive value of ALDH3B1 expression for long-term survival of the patients. We also examined the effect of lentivirus-mediated interference and overexpression of ALDH3B1 on the malignant behaviors of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells. RESULTS: The expressions of ALDH3B1 and Ki67 were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). In gastric cancer patients, ALDH3B1 expression was positively correlated with peripheral blood CEA and CA19-9 levels (P < 0.01). The proportion of patients with CEA ≥5 μg/L, CA19-9 ≥37 kU/L, T stage of 3- 4, and N stage of 2-3 was significantly greater in high ALDH3B1 expression group than in low expression group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in gastric cancer patients with high ALDH3B1 expressions (P < 0.01). Univariate and Cox multiple regression analyses identified a high expression of ALDH3B1 (P < 0.05, HR= 0.231, 95% CI: 0.064-0.826), CEA≥5 μg/L (P < 0.01, HR=4.478, 95% CI: 1.530-13.110), CA19-9≥37 kU/L (P < 0.01, HR=3.877, 95% CI: 1.625-9.247), T stage of 3-4 (P < 0.01, HR=4.953, 95% CI: 1.768-13.880), and N stage of 2-3 (P < 0.05, HR=2.152, 95% CI: 1.152-4.022) as independent risk factors affecting 5-year survival after radical gastrectomy. The relative ALDH3B1 expression level, at the cut-off point of 4.66, showed a sensitivity of 76.47% and a specificity of 76% for predicting 5-year postoperative death (P < 0.01). In the cell experiment, overexpression of ALDH3B1 obviously promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of MGC-803 cells. CONCLUSION As an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival after radical gastrectomy, ALDH3B1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and correlated with pathological parameters of the tumor, and a high ALDH3B1 expression may promote proliferation, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.
Aldehyde Oxidoreductases ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*

Objective: To investigate the surgical techniques and clinical effect of Memokath transurethral spiral thermo-expandable prostatic stent (STEPS) implantation in the treatment of BPH. METHODS: From January 2017 to January 2018, 26 BPH patients underwent Memokath transurethral STEPS implantation, 9 under the flexible cystoscope and the other 17 under the rigid cystoscope. The patients were aged 62－91 years old, with a prostate volume of 32－78 ml, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) of (67.3 ± 11.2) ml, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of (6.3 ± 1.8) ml/s, and IPSS score of 26.7 ± 5.7. Eight of the patients had preoperative urinary retention, of whom, 6 received catheterization and 2 had undergone cystostomy for bladder fistula before STEPS implantation. RESULTS: The operations lasted 15－30 minutes and were successfully completed in 24 cases while stent-shedding occurred in the other 2. Twenty-two of the patients achieved spontaneous urination immediately after surgery and 2 experienced bladder clot embolism. At 3 month after surgery, 24 of the patients showed significant improvement in PVR (［21.4 ± 7.7］ ml), Qmax (［18.3 ± 4.7］ ml/s) and IPSS (8.3 ± 2.1), and 13 exhibited no statistically significant difference from the baseline in the IIEF-5 score (14.1 ± 1.1 vs 14.3 ± 1.0, P > 0.05). At 12 months, all the patients were found with markedly improved urination but no adverse events except recurrent urinary tract infection in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS Memokath STEPS implantation, with its advantages of simple operation, high safety, definite effectiveness, non-influence on sexual function, is a new effective surgical option for the treatment of BPH.