Adult ; Aged ; Hemospermia ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Punctures ; Rectum ; diagnostic imaging ; Seminal Vesicles ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo observe the direct effects of fenvalerate (Fen) on sperm motility in SD rats.

METHODSSperm were isolated from caudal epididymides of healthy adult male rats with the diffusion method. The motility parameters of the isolated sperm, such as VCL, VSL, VAP, BCF, STR and LIN, were monitored by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system after 1, 2 and 4 h Fen-exposure in vitro at concentrations of 0, 1, 4, 16 and 64 micromol/L respectively.

RESULTSAfter 1 and 2 h Fen-exposure, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN decreased significantly at 64 micromol/L compared with the control group. After 4 h Fen-exposure, the motility parameters VCL, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN dropped progressively at 64 micromol/L, and VCL declined markedly at 16 micromol/L. However, only VCL and STR showed alterations in a time-response manner.

CONCLUSIONFen may affect the caudal epididymal sperm and produce a direct toxic effect on sperm motility in SD rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) with the polymorphism of the CYP2E1 gene, smoking and drinking, and to explore the joint role of genes and living habits in PCa pathogenesis.

METHODSWe conducted a case-control study on 109 PCa patients and 202 age-matched non-PCa male controls, and detected the polymorphisms of CYP2E1 Rsa I and Pst I sites by PCR-RFLP using DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes.

RESULTSThe history of deep smoking (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.28 - 4.09) or heavy smoking (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.02 - 3.22) was a risk factor. The CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype significantly increased the risk of PCa (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.04 - 2.82) and apparently interacted with drinking (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.06 - 4.59). Heavy smokers with the C1/C1 genotype showed an increased risk of PCa (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.20 - 6.56), as compared with non-smokers carrying the genotype of C1/C2 or C2/C2.

CONCLUSIONThe risk of PCa obviously increases in individuals with both the CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype and the habit of smoking or drinking, and it has a significant positive correlation with the dose of tobacco exposure.

Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Smoking ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe Ala499Val (C > T) and Lys939Gln (A > C) of the XPC gene are two potentially functional nonsynonymous polymorphisms, which affect the rate of DNA repair and might change XPC production and activity. This study aimed to explore the distribution of these two polymorphisms in the Chinese Han population and their relationship with male infertility.

METHODSWe genotyped the two polymorphisms of the XPC gene by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 318 infertile patients and 228 fertile male controls, detected the frequency of the alleles, and analyzed both the individual and the joint contribution of the two polymorphisms to male infertility.

RESULTSFor the Ala499Val (C > T) polymorphism, the frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were significantly different in distribution between the patients and the controls (P = 0.020). Males with the TT genotype had a lower risk of male infertility than those with the CC genotype (adjusted OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88), and even lower than those with both CC and CT genotypes (adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.71). The Lys939Gln (A > C) polymorphism was not related with male infertility. The combined genotype analysis showed that the individuals with 1-4 risk alleles had a significantly higher risk of male infertility (adjusted OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.50-5.04) than those with 0 risk allele.

CONCLUSIONThe Ala499Val (C > T) polymorphism of the XPC gene is correlated with male infertility and may be a potential genetic risk factor for male infertility in the Chinese Han population.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

Using a fluidized bed as immobilization system, mixed culture methanotrophic attached-films were developed on diatomite particles. The Methane Monooxygenase (MMO) activity was found to increase obviously as soon as the lag phase ended. Greater than 90% of the MMO activity in the bed was attached. Biofilm concentration of 3.3-3.7 mg dry weight cell/g DS was observed. Batch experiments were performed to explore the possibility of producing epoxypropane by a cooxidation process. The effect of methane on the oxidation of propene to epoxypropane and the effect of propene on the growth of methanotroph were also studied. In continuous experiments, optimum mixed gaseous substrates (methane: 35%; propene: 20%; oxygen: 45%) were continuously circulated through the fluidized bed reactor to remove product. Initial epoxypropane productivity was 110-150 mumol/d. The bioreactor operated continuously for 25 d without obvious loss of epoxypropane productivity.
Adhesins, Bacterial ; physiology ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Cells, Immobilized ; drug effects ; enzymology ; microbiology ; Epoxy Compounds ; metabolism ; Methane ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Methylococcaceae ; drug effects ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Methylosinus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxygenases ; metabolism ; Propane ; metabolism ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe risk of radial artery occlusion (RAO) needs particular attention in transradial intervention (TRI). Therefore, reducing vascular occlusion has an important clinical significance. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate puncture site during TRI through comparing the occurrence of RAO between the different puncture sites to reduce the occurrence of RAO after TRI.

METHODSWe prospectively assessed the occurrence of RAO in 606 consecutive patients undergoing TRI. Artery occlusion was evaluated with Doppler ultrasound in 2 days and 1 year after the intervention. Risk factors for RAO were evaluated using a multivariate model analysis.

RESULTSOf the 606 patients, the RAO occurred in 56 patients. Compared with TRI at 2-5 cm away from the radius styloid process, the odds ratio (OR) for occlusion risk at 0 cm and 1 cm were 9.65 (P = 0.033) and 8.90 (P = 0.040), respectively. The RAO occurred in the ratio of the arterial diameter to the sheath diameter ≤1 (OR = 2.45, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONDistal puncture sites (0-1 cm away from the radius styloid process) can lead to a higher rate of RAO.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01979627; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01979627?term = NCT01979627 and rank = 1.

Aged ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; etiology ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Radial Artery

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of reconstructive surgery for male urethral stricture on erectile function and sexual life quality.

METHODSWe analyzed retrospectively the clinical data of 326 male patients who underwent urethroplasty for urethral stricture in our department and evaluated their erectile function and sexual life quality.

RESULTSA total of 172 groups of valid data were collected, with the mean follow-up of 28.5 months. The mean scores on IIEF-5 (P=0.002) and sexual life quality (P=0.026) were statistically significantly reduced after surgery. Erectile dysfunction was found in 88 (51.2%) of the patients after urethroplasty, as compared with 56 (32.6%) preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONThe location of urethral stricture, surgical method and urethral stricture recurrence may affect the erectile function and sexual life quality of the patient, but both can be gradually improved with the time after urethroplasty.

Adult ; Aged ; Coitus ; physiology ; psychology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; psychology ; Quality of Life ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urethral Stricture ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery

AIMTo assess the possible role of genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair gene XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1) during spermatogenesis by investigating the associations of one promoter polymorphism (T-77C) and two exonic polymorphisms (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) in XRCC1 gene with risk of idiopathic azoospermia in a Chinese population.

METHODSThe genotype and allele frequencies of three observed polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism based on a Chinese population consisting of 171 idiopathic azoospermia subjects and 247 normal-spermatogenesis controls.

RESULTSIn our study, all the observed genotype frequencies were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The 399A (GA+AA) allele frequency for idiopathic azoospermia subjects and controls was 0.216 and 0.269, respectively. Compared with GG genotype, the AA genotype of Arg399Gln showed a significant association with a decreased risk of idiopathic azoospermia (odds ratio = 0.315; 95% confidence interval = 0.12-0.86). However, no significant differences were found between the cases and controls for T-77C and Arg194Trp polymorphisms. The major haplotypes of XRCC1 gene were TCG, TTG and TCA, whereas no haplotypes appeared to be significantly associated with idiopathic azoospermia based on the cutoff of P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONIn a selected Chinese population, AA genotype of Arg399Gln appears to contribute to a decreased risk of idiopathic azoospermia, while we have not any evidence of involvement of XRCC1 T-77C and Arg194Trp polymorphisms in idiopathic azoospermia.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Azoospermia ; ethnology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

Hepatitis E is a main cause of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries where it occurs as sporadic cases and in epidemics form. The causative agent, hepatitis E virus, is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route. The approximately 7.5 kb positive-sense single-strand RNA genome includes three open reading frames (ORFs), one of which (ORF2) is postulated to encode the major viral capsid protein (pORF2) of 660 amino acid residues. We earlier showed that a bacterially expressed peptide, designated as NE2, located from amino acid residues 394 to 606 of ORF2, was found to aggregate into homodimer to at least hexamer. To understand the interface domains within this peptide vital for dimerization and formation of major neutralizing epitopes, NE2 protein underwent terminal-truncated and site-directed mutation. The hydrophobic region, ORF2 aa597-aa602 (AVAVLA), played a key role in oligomerization. Any amino acid residue of this region replaced with glutamic acid residue, the peptide can not refold as homodimer and/or oligomer. The immunoreactivities of these mutant peptides, blotted with anti-HEV neutralizing monoclonal antibody (8C11) and convalescent human sera, show associated to the formation of homodimer. The intermolecular contact region on homodimer was investigated by chemical cross-linking of two site-directed cysteines. When the alanine on aa597 site mutated with cysteine, two different homodimers were found in SDS-PAGE analysis. One (42kD) can be disassociated with 8mol/L urea, which is postulated to form by virtue of hydrophobic interaction, and the other (60kD) falls apart with the reductant DTT present. The exact conformation, generating the cross-linking reaction of cysteines, was further investigated by induced-oxidation on monomer and hydrophobic homodimer of A597C protein with GSH/GSSG. And the results revealed, it is the conformation of hydrophobic homodimer that induces the disulfide bond come into being, instead of the one of monomer. So the aa597 site was verified to be located on interface domain of hydrophobically interacting homodimeric complex. To evaluate the biological significance of hydrophobicity of interface domain, we searched natural variations as to the region on all available databases with NCBI blast program. All variations on these amino acid residues kept higher hydrophobicity, which suggests that the hydrophobic domain is critical for the assemblage and propagation of HEV. NE2 N-terminal deletions up to aa458 had no effect on dimerization and took no exact part in formation of major neutralizing epitopes, but the fragment may act as helper for the formation of major neutralizing epitopes on NE2. Interestingly, the C-terminus aa605-aa660 of ORF2 can also act as helper instead of the N-terminus of NE2. This study suggests an interface domain of NE2 might be vital for HEV capsomer assembly and formation of major neutralizing epitopes. These results may offer clues to the rational design of recombinant anti-HEV vaccine.
Capsid Proteins ; chemistry ; Hepatitis E virus ; chemistry ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Protein Multimerization ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Virus Assembly