Objective: The effects of estrogen on cellular immunity were investigated to explore the immunomodulatory properties of estrogen. Methods: In the present study, the in vitro influences of estrogen at 10~(-8),10~(-7 )and 10~(-6) mol/L on the ConA-induced proliferation of thymocytes were determined by MTT assay. Results: The results showed that estrogen at all concentrations we used suppressed the ConA-induced proliferation of thymocytes. The inhibitive effects had dose- and time- dependent pattern. Conclusion: These results suggested that estrogen had inhibiting effects on the cellular immunity.

Objective To evaluate the expressions of Cyr61 and β‐catenin protein in gallbladder carcinoma tissues and investigate their association with the clinicopathologic features of gallbladder carcinoma patients . Methods The expressions of Cyr61 and β‐catenin protein in 50 cases of gallbladder carcinoma and 19 cases of normal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical S‐P method .Results ① The positive expression rate of Cyr61 in gallbladder carcinoma tissues was 66 .0% (33/50) ,which was significantly higher than that in the normal tissues group (26 .3% ) .The expression of Cyr61 was related to tumor differentiation ,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma (P=0 .010 ,P=0 .014 ,P=0 .007;P<0 .05) .② The positive expression rate ofβ‐catenin in gallbladder carcinoma tissues was 84 .0% (42/50) ,which was significantly higher than that in the normal tissues group 15 .7% (3/19);the expression of β‐catenin was related to tumor differentiation ,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma (P=0 .018 ,P=0 .002 ,P=0 .024;P<0 .05) .③ Correlation test showed that Cyr61 andβ‐catenin were positively correlated in gallbladder carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues (r=0 .378 , P< 0 .05) .Conclusion Cyr61 and β‐catenin are highly expressed in gallbladder carcinoma tissues . Cyr61 andβ‐catenin expressions are closely related to the clinicopathologic features (tumor differentiation ,TNM staging and lymph node metastasis) in gallbladder carcinoma .Cyr61 and β‐catenin may have a synergistic effect in promoting progression and development of gallbladder carcinoma .Combined detection of Cyr61 and β‐catenin in gallbladder carcinoma tissues will contribute to the clinical diagnosis and prognosis .

Objective To explore the risk factom of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.Methods One hundred and fifty-eight cases hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis were selected.According to whether complicated with liver failure,the patients were divided into observation group with 62 cases (complicated with liver failure group) and control group with 96 cases (without liver failure group).The clinical data and results of 2 groups were analyzed to screen the risk factors of liver failure.Results Compared with control group,observation group in alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,cholinesterase,total bilirubin,and prothrombin time,activated partial thrombin time live enzymes,thrombin time,fibrinogen,serum creatinine,the differences were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05);in albumin ((28.02±7.36) g/L vs.(23.26±6.54) g/L,t =4.421,P =0.002),serum urea nitrogen ((8.84±4.71) mmol/L vs.(9.33±5.24) mmol/L,t =3.656,P=0.007),upper gastrointestinal bleeding(x2 =7.534,P=0.006),ascites (x2 =8.615,P =0.003),infection (x2 =10.321,P =0.001),hepatic encephalopathy (x2 =6.561,P =0.010),hepatorenal syndrome(x2 =4.952,P=0.026),the difference were statistically significant.(2)The results of logistic regression analysis showed that upper gastrointestinal bleeding (OR =1.020,95％ CI:1.003-1.036),hepatorenal syndrome(OR=2.872,95％CI:0.385-21.423) were risk factor of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.Conclusion Upper gastrointestinal bleeding,hepatorenal syndrome are independent risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection and alcoholic liver disease in patients with decompensated cirrhosis complicated with liver failure.

In order to ascertain prevalence rate of premarital sexual intercourse, unintended pregnancy and abortion, and evaluate associated factors of unintended pregnancy among undergraduates from all over China, the representative sample of unmarried undergraduates was obtained by using a multi-stage, stratified, probability cluster design, and data were collected by using a survey questionnaire. 62 326 available responders were gained. 11.6% of them acknowledged having experiences of premarital sexual intercourse (standardized prevalence rate of sexual intercourse was 13.8%). 31.5% of students active in premarital sex acknowledged undergoing unintended pregnancy. 76.2% of pregnant students selected abortion to end it. Of students active in premarital sex, 46.2% used contraception at the first sexual intercourse, 28.2% replied "always" using contraception in sexual intercourse. The rate of using condoms, oral contraceptives (OCs), and withdrawal among students who had used contraception was 52.0%, 31.0%, and 27.2% respectively. "No preparation for sex" (40.3%), "pleasure decrement" (32.1%), "won't-be-pregnancy in occasional sexual intercourse" (30.2%) were their common excuses for using no contraception. The identified risk factors for unintended pregnancy among students active in premarital sex by multivariate analysis were as follows: having no steady lover [having no steady lover vs having a steady lover: odds ratio (OR), 1.875; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.629-2.158], unaware of the course of conception (unaware vs aware: OR, 2.023; 95% CI, 1.811-2.260), considering abortion not endanger women's physical and mental health (no endangerment vs endangerment: OR, 2.659; 95% CI, 2.265-3.121), nonuse of contraception (never use vs always use: OR, 1.682; 95% CI, 1.295-2.185). Medical students were not less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy than nonmedical students (OR, 1.111; 95% CI, 0.906-1.287). The substantial proportion of unintended pregnancy among undergraduates indicates a need for convenient and targeted contraceptive education and services.

Increased generation of ROS causes the lipid oxidation of the membrane of spermatozoa, but antioxidant vitamins play an important role in reproduction and help clear away ROS and protect the sperm membrane from lipid oxidation. This review focused on the effect of antioxidant vitamins on male reproduction and in the treatment of male infertility.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; adverse effects ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Vitamin A ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) in patients with chronic prostatitis.

METHODSForty-five patients with diagnosed inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (NIH category III A prostatitis) were inquired about the history symptoms and signs of prostatitis, and underwent digital rectal examination of the prostate as well as analysis of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS). Bacterial infection was also analyzed by pre- and post- massage test (PPMT), and PSA in the blood was detected. Thirty healthy males without inflammation in EPS were selected as controls.

RESULTSIn 45 cases of the patients with NIH category III A prostatitis, the PSA level in the blood was 2.41 +/- 0.64 microg/L, and that in the control group was 0.93 +/- 0.52 microg/L, with significant difference (P < 0.05). And among the 45 patients there were 6 (13.3%) whose PSA levels were over 4.0 microg/L, but there was only 1 in the 30 control males (3.3%). In III A prostatitis, the PSA level was elevated with the increase of inflammation in EPS, but with no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSIn the diagnosis of prostate diseases, it should be taken into account that chronic non-bacterial prostatitis might elevate the level of PSA to a certain extent.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; blood ; diagnosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatitis ; blood ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo measure uric acid of seminal plasma in fertile and infertile males.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-three infertile males were divided into an obstructive azoospermic group (15 cases), a non-obstructive azoospermic group (36 cases), an oligozoospermic group (43 cases), and an asthenozoospermic group (69 cases). Twenty fertile males were included in the control group. Uric acid concentrations of seminal plasma in the fertile and infertile men were assessed by spectrophotometer, and sperm parameters were analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system.

RESULTSUric acid concentration of seminal plasma in the control group was significantly higher than all the infertile groups (P < 0.01), and that of the obstructive azoospermic group significantly lower than the other infertile groups (P < 0.1), but no significant difference was observed among the other infertile groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUric acid may play an important role in male reproduction because of its antioxidative property.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; Male ; Oligospermia ; metabolism ; Semen ; chemistry ; Uric Acid ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of zinc and selenium on the sperm quality of oligoasthenozoospermic men.

METHODSThirty-four cases of oligoasthenozoospermia were treated with Xinxibao (Zinc & Selenium Tablet) three times a day and five tablets at a time for ninety days in succession. The seminal routine analysis was performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) at the end of each month.

RESULTSThe sperm quality was improved significantly sixty days and ninety days after treatment. Five cases (14.7%) showed remarkable effect, 25 (73.5%) improved, and 4 (11.8%) did not respond.

CONCLUSIONZinc and selenium can significantly improve the sperm quality of oligoasthenozoospermic men.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Selenium ; therapeutic use ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Motility ; Zinc ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine on asthenospermia with epididymal knob.

METHODSThirty-five patients aged 25-39 years with asthenospermia with epididymal knob were received at our clinic of andrology from May 2003 to July 2004, and given oral L-carnitine 2 g/d for 3 months. The sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after L-carnitine treatment.

RESULTSOf the 32 patients who accomplished the 3-month L-carnitine therapy, only 4 remained unimproved in sperm parameters, while the other 28 were significantly improved in sperm concentration, forward sperm motility, total sperm motility, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity and average path velocity. Four of the patients wives were pregnant and one patient fathered a child.

CONCLUSIONOral L-carnitine therapy is efficacious for asthenospermia with epididymal knob.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Epididymis ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin B Complex ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the damage of mitochondrial function of sperm induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the protection of melatonin (MLT) against the damage.

METHODSSpermatozoa of normal physiological function selected from semen samples by Percoll gradient centrifugation technique were used as normal sperm models in the present study. Reactive oxygen species were generated by hypoxanthine xanthine oxidase system, and in the presence (or absence) of MLT (6 mmol/L), incubated with normal sperm models for 30 and 60 minutes. After incubation, the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in mitochondria of spermatozoa was assessed by histochemical method, and spermatozoa were labeled with specific fluorescent probe of Rhodamine 123 to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter normal spermatozoa were incubated with ROS, MMP of spermatozoa significantly decreased, and the activity of SDH almost decreased to zero. However, MLT had effect on reducing the damage of the mitochondrial function of sperm induced by ROS.

CONCLUSIONROS can damage the mitochondrial function of sperm by affecting MMP of spermatozoa and the activity of SDH. MLT can protect sperm mitochondria from the damage induced by ROS through its effective antioxidative potential.

Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; pharmacology ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism