OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of depression and its etiological factors in patients with cryptorchidism 6-16 years after surgical treatment.

METHODSUsing Self-Rating Depression Scale and Correlation Factor Questionnaire, we investigated the incidence of depression symptoms among 70 patients with cryptorchidism 6-16 years after surgical treatment and another 70 healthy males as controls, and analyzed the related factors of depression symptoms.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of depression symptoms was 50% in the cryptorchidism patients postoperatively, extremely significantly higher than 4.3% in the control group (χ2 = 23.5, P <0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the main risk factors of depression symptoms were worries about natural fertility (F = 15.8992, P <0.01), dissatisfaction with scrotal appearance (F = 4.6003, P <0.05), and the status of being married (F = 4.1002, P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSymptoms of depression often occur in cryptorchidism patients after operation, and the major etiological factors are infertility, dissatisfaction with scrotal appearance, and the status of being married.

Adult ; Body Image ; psychology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cryptorchidism ; psychology ; surgery ; Depression ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility, Male ; psychology ; Male ; Marital Status ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Scrotum ; pathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors

AIM: To identify human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB11454 allele and HLA-DRB1 exon 3 sequence information in the Chinese population, which is significant for organ transplantation, cell transplantation, and human genetics.METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) was used to identify HLA-DRB1 alleles from 58 donor-recipient individuals who would undergo haemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Medium to high resolution polymerase chain reaction-reverse sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-RSSOP) was used to identify HLA-DRB1 alleles from 1 268 healthy donors from Guangdong province. The some ambiguous results of HLA-DRB114-associated alleles were confirmed by high resolution polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer typing (PCR-SSP).RESULTS: HLA-DRB11403, 1406, 1410, 1412, 1418, 1425 and 1454 alleles were detected in 1 268 healthy donors.HLA-DRB11454 was confirmed in 8 ambiguous results of HLA-DRB11401/1434/1454 alleles, and HLA-DRB11454 was one of common alleles of HLA-DRB114 allele group in Guangdong population. HLA-DRB114 exon 3 sequence information was confirmed to be polymorphic in Chinese population.CONCLUSION: HLA-DRB11454 and exon 3 of DRB1 are confirmed to be polymorphic in Chinese population, further elucidating that HLA-DRB1 axon 3 sequence information is important for Han population and some minority groups.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of Cardi-O-fix patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder and Amplatzer PFO occluder for the treatment of patients with PFO. Methods: A total of 246 consecutive patients (105 males and 141 females) with PFO were prospectively enrolled from May 30, 2013 to March 30, 2015 in our hospital. PFO interventional closure was applied according to the anatomical structure of the disease and patients′ wishes.Cardi-O-fix PFO occluder was used in 180 cases (COF group), Amplatzer PFO occluder was used in the remaining 66 cases (Amp group). Post-procedure safety including recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack, death, and complete closure rate, and efficacy including procedure related complications of different devices were compared during the 12 months follow-up. Results: (1) Rate of transient ischemic attack was similar between COF group and Amp group at 12 months after procedure(1.1%(2/180) vs. 1.5%(1/66), P=1.000). There was no recurrent stroke and death during the 12 months follow-up period.Complete closure rate was similar between COF group and Amp group at 12 months after the procedure(90.6%(163/180)vs. 86.4%(57/66), P=0.355). (2) Three cases(1.7%) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were observed in COF group during the 12 months follow-up period, 1 patient converted spontaneously to sinus rhythm and 2 patients received successful pharmacologic conversion and converted to sinus rhythm. One patient(1.5%)developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and was pharmacologically converted to sinus rhythm in the Amp group. There was no significant difference in rate of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation between the two groups(P=1.000). There was no complications such as occluder translocation, erosion, pericardial effusion and puncture site bleeding in the 2 groups during the 12 months follow-up. Conclusion Efficacy and safety are similar for PFO treatment with Cardi-O-fix PFO occluder or Amplatzer PFO occluder in this patient cohort.

The effect of water temperature, stocking density and feeding cycle on the growth of Poecilobdella manillensis juvenile was conducted P. manillensis was conducted respectively under different conditions: water temperatures(18, 22, 26, 30,34, 38 degrees C and CT), stocking density (75, 125, 200, 275, 350 individual/L) and feeding cycle(2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 d). After 30 days, survival rate, weight gain rate, specific growth rate were measured. There was a significant correlation between water temperature and specific growth rate (γ = -0.066x2 + 3.543 1x -38.09, R2 = 0.837 9). Based on the regression equation, the specific growth rate of P. manillensis achieved the maximum (9.461 4) at 26.84 degrees C. And the most optimal water temperature was 26-30 degrees C. Meanwhile, the survival rates of P. manillensis was 0 at 38 degrees C in 3 d. There was significant negative correlation between density and specific growth rate (γ = -0.005 7x + 9.197 3, R2 = 0.998 3) and between feeding cycle and specific growth rate (γ = -0.468 2x + 10.574, R2 = 0.998 8).
Animals ; Annelida ; growth & development ; physiology ; Body Size ; Feeding Behavior ; Temperature ; Water ; chemistry

AIMIn order to study the effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP) on brain edema induced by ischemia in rats and its underlying receptor mechanism.

METHODSBrain ischemia model in rats was established by ligaturing four--vessels. The percentage ratio of wet over dry tissue weight, sodium and potassium contents of dry brain tissue were measured by weighing and enzymatic analysis methods.

RESULTSThe brain water contents significantly increased after rats exposed to 1 h of reperfusion following 30 - minute ischemia. Furthermore, sodium contents in brain tissue increased and potassium contents decreased following perfusion. Changes of brain water contents, sodium and potassium contents were relieved by lateral ventricular injection of PACAP in the concentration of 1 x 10(-9), 1 x 10(-10) or 1 x 10(-11) mol respectively before ischemia. The effect of PACAP could be blocked by MCAP6 - 38 (specific type I PACAP receptor antagonist) lateral ventricular injection prior to PACAP administration.

CONCLUSIONExogenous PACAP may act as a protective effect in brain edema induced by ischemia in rats, which is mediated by type I receptor.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Brain Edema ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide ; pharmacology ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with standardized house dust mite (HDM) extract for persistent allergic rhinitis (PER).

METHODSNinety-eight patients with moderate to severe PER caused by HDM and who completed SCIT (Alutard SQ, ALK-Abell¨®) or SLIT (Chanllergen-Df drops, Wolwo Pharma) regimen for two years were enrolled in this open-label controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups: SCIT group consisted of 40 patients aged 7 to 57 years old [(19.0 ± 2.7) years, x(-) ± s], and SLIT group consisted of 58 patients aged 6 to 50 years old [(17.7 ± 3.2) years]. The nasal symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus) were evaluated using a four-point rating scale (from 0 = absent to 3 = severe) as well as 10 cm-visual analogue scale (VAS). Efficacy of SCIT and SLIT was assessed as the mean change from baseline in nasal symptom scores after 2-year course of immunotherapy, and the results were compared. SAS software version 9.1.3 was applied for statistical analysis.

RESULTSBoth SCIT and SLIT significantly reduced the individual symptom score of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus, and the total nasal symptom scores (including 4-point scale and VAS) after 2-year treatment when compared with the baseline (Z value were -3.14, -3.76, -3.09, -3.48, -4.13; -3.63, -3.21, -2.48, -3.56, -3.98, respectively, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in decreased mean score of the individual and total nasal symptoms (4-point scale) between SCIT and SLIT groups (Z value were -0.97, -0.67, -0.36, -0.04, -0.67, respectively, all P > 0.05). However, a significant reduction of VAS score of nasal obstruction was found in SCIT group after 2-year treatment, compared with SLIT group (t = -2.21, P = 0.032). There was no significant difference in decreased VAS score of three other nasal symptoms as well as global rhinitis severity between two immunotherapy groups (t value were -0.57, -1.93, -1.73, -0.99, respectively, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth SCIT and SLIT demonstrated clinical improvement in moderate to severe PER patients sensitized to HDM after two years treatment. It is suggested that SCIT may relieve nasal obstruction significantly; however, the overall clinical efficacy is consistent with SCIT and SLIT.

Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationships between the severity of childhood allergic rhinitis (AR) and the peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total IgE (tIgE), and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) levels.

METHODSA total of 138 children with AR aged 3 to 17 (9.96 ± 3.78, x() ± s) years old were enrolled in the study. All children had persistent AR sensitized to house dust mites with a clinical history of 3 months to 12 (4.21 ± 2.72) years. The disease severity was evaluated using 10 cm-visual analogue scale (VAS), and the serum levels of ECP, tIgE and sIgE were determined using an ImmunoCAP system. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS11.0 software.

RESULTSAmong 138 children with AR, the VAS scores for global severity of rhinitis and nasal obstruction symptom were 5.32 ± 2.16 and 4.78 ± 2.45, respectively. Blood eosinophil count was 0.39 [0.24; 0.63] (M[P(25); P(75)]) ×10(9)/ml. Serum levels of ECP and total IgE were 10.60 [3.26; 30.80] µg/L and (2.50 ± 0.53) log kU/L, respectively. Serum levels of allergen-sIgE against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae were 58.20[24.75; > 100] kUA/L and 54.95 [24.55; > 100] kUA/L, respectively. The VAS scores of nasal obstruction symptom, but not global severity of rhinitis, were positively related to the duration of AR (r = 0.215, P = 0.011) and the levels of serum ECP (r = 0.196, P = 0.022) in bivariate correlation analysis. There was also a significant correlation between the serum ECP level and the blood eosinophil count (r = 0.295, P = 0.000). No relationships of blood eosinophil count, and serum tIgE and sIgE levels with global severity of rhinitis as well as nasal obstruction symptom were found (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggested that the severity of nasal obstruction was positively correlated with the duration of rhinitis and the levels of serum ECP in childhood persistent AR due to house dust mites, indicating the disease severity might be related to chronic inflammatory process.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET) in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) patients with different body mass index(BMI).MethodsEighty-seven PCOS patients who received IVF-ET were classified into four groups according to BMI: group A,BMI0.05).ConclusionThe doses of gonadotropins are increased in PCOS patients with increasing BMI.The number of usable embryo is significant decreased in PCOS patients with BMI≥25 kg/m2.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qubi Recipe (QR) on the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha in rats with type II collagen-I induced arthritis (CIA), and to explore its therapeutic roles and mechanism.

METHODSTotally 72 male SD rats of SPF grade were recruited. Twelve were randomly selected as the blank control group. The CIA model was established in the rest 60 rats by subcutaneously injecting type II collagen of bovine emulsion from the tail root and induction of incomplete Freund's adjuvant. On day 15 after primary immunization rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the CIA model group, the Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) group (at the daily dose of 9.68 mg/kg body weight), the high dose QR group (at the daily dose of 6.66 g/kg body weight), and the low dose QR group (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg body weight), 15 in each group. Corresponding medication was given to rats in all groups by gastrogavage once daily for 4 successive weeks. An equal volume of pure water was given to rats in the blank control group and the CIA model group by gastrogavage, once daily for 4 successive weeks. The swelling degree of the joints was measured. Rats were sacrificed after 4-week treatment. Plasma levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were measured with colorimetric method. The expression of HIF-1alpha was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the CIA model group, the swelling degree of the joints was significantly alleviated in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and it was obviously milder in the high dose QR group than in the TG group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the CIA model group, the activities of GSH-Px could be obviously elevated and activities of MDA lowered in the TG group, the high dose QR group, and the low dose QR group (P < 0.05). Plasma activities of SOD could be obviously elevated in the high dose QR group and the TG group (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the CIA model group, the expression of HIF-1alpha obviously decreased in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.05), and it showed a decreasing tendency in the low dose QR group with no statistical difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQR could markedly alleviate the swelling degree of ankle joints in CIA model rats. Its therapeutic efficacy was superior to that of TG. Its mechanism might be achieved through down-regulating expression of HIF-1alpha in the joint, and regulating activities of SOD, MDA and GSH-Px in the plasma.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Joints ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the factors affecting the management and treatment of immigrant workers with tuberculosis, to determine the most effective measures and to provide an academic basis for tuberculosis control and prevention strategies targeting the immigrant population.

METHODSA self-designed questionnaire was administered to 1364 immigrant workers with tuberculosis (study group) and 436 local residents (control group) with tuberculosis.

RESULTSWhether a patient's tuberculosis status was discovered or not was related to the medical facilities initially visited, job mobility, and the individual worker's economic condition. The percentage of cases discovered was relatively low among those who made their first visit to a private clinic (39.0%), and 58.4% (796) of immigrant workers delayed their first consultation mainly due to neglecting symptoms (55.9%, 445), subjective perception of symptoms being not severe enough (19.3%, 154) to visit a physician and the inconvenience of visiting a hospital because of its being far away from home (15.8%, 47). As comparing immigrant workers with local residents, the differences of the delay reason between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 21.49, P < 0.01). And 39.9% (544) of immigrant workers and 49.1% (214) of local residents had had late confirmation. The differences of the delay reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 7.31, P = 0.293). And 17.6% (240) patients of immigrant workers and 13.1% (57) patients of local residents did not keep to their drug regimens in a timely fashion. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 6.66, P > 0.05). And 77.5% (1057) of immigrant workers and 31.8% (138) of local residents were considered that taking medicine in supervision spot might have impact on their lives and work. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were significant (chi(2) = 9.71, P < 0.05). All 79.2% (1080) of immigrant workers and 63.3% (276) of local residents did not obtain medicine according to prescriptions. The differences of reasons between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 24.84, P < 0.01). And 51.2% (699) of immigrant workers and 46.1% (201) of the registered population did not follow up with doctors' directions for lab tests. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 3.26, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe influential factors in tuberculosis management and treatment were complex. Prevention strategies should focus on health education and promotion activities to improve awareness in seeking medical services. Also, developing and standardizing reference mechanisms for patients, and alleviating the economic burden of the workers will be critical to reduce the tuberculosis incidence.

China ; epidemiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Transients and Migrants ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Urban Population