Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype, sperm morphological characteristics and assisted reproductive therapy efficiency in patients with total globozoospermia.Methods:Four male patients with total globozoospermia were collected during November 2019 to May 2022 from Reproductive Medical and Genetic Center, the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Peripheral blood samples were collected for genetic detection and the whole exome sequencing to explore the pathogenic genes. Semen characteristics, sperm morphology and ultrastructure were analyzed. Four patients were treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) combined with artificial oocyte activation (AOA). Conventional ICSI cycles ( n=9) were selected as control group, and the development dynamic parameters were monitored by Time-lapse. The fertilization and embryo development parameters, developmental dynamic parameters and clinical outcomes were analyzed between the two groups. Results:Four patients were complicated with low sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Sperm morphology analysis and acrosome fluorescence staining represented that all the spermatozoas were with a small round head lacked of acrosome. By the transmission electron microscope, it was observed that round-headed spermatozoas were lacked of acrosome completely, loose chromatin structure, vacuolation and other abnormal changes in the head, mitochondrial sheath in neck were reduced arranged in disorder, and the structure of "9+2" of the flagellar axial filament was incomplete. Of the 4 patients, 1 was homozygous deletion of DPY19L2 gene and 1 was homozygous frameshift mutation of DPY19L2 gene. There were no significance differences in fertilization rate, two pronuclei fertilization rate, day 3 high-quality embryo rate, day 6 blastocyst formation rate and day 6 high-quality blastocyst formation rate between total globozoospermia group and control group (all P>0.05). The developmental dynamic parameters as the time at which the second polar body is extruded, the time when both (or the last) PN disappear, two to six discrete cells in the total globozoospermia group were significantly earlier than those in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the embryo cleavage patterns between the two groups ( P>0.05). Among the 4 patients with total globozoospermia, 2 live births with signal healthy male baby were achieved by fresh embryo transfer, and 2 live births with one signal healthy male baby and one healthy female baby were achieved by frozen-thawed embryo transfer respectively. Conclusion:Abnormal morphology characteristics of spermatozoas from patients with total globozoospermia are obvious, patients with total globozoospermia could have favorable clinical outcomes following ICSI combined with AOA.

Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype, sperm morphological characteristics and assisted reproductive therapy efficiency in patients with total globozoospermia.Methods:Four male patients with total globozoospermia were collected during November 2019 to May 2022 from Reproductive Medical and Genetic Center, the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Peripheral blood samples were collected for genetic detection and the whole exome sequencing to explore the pathogenic genes. Semen characteristics, sperm morphology and ultrastructure were analyzed. Four patients were treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) combined with artificial oocyte activation (AOA). Conventional ICSI cycles ( n=9) were selected as control group, and the development dynamic parameters were monitored by Time-lapse. The fertilization and embryo development parameters, developmental dynamic parameters and clinical outcomes were analyzed between the two groups. Results:Four patients were complicated with low sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Sperm morphology analysis and acrosome fluorescence staining represented that all the spermatozoas were with a small round head lacked of acrosome. By the transmission electron microscope, it was observed that round-headed spermatozoas were lacked of acrosome completely, loose chromatin structure, vacuolation and other abnormal changes in the head, mitochondrial sheath in neck were reduced arranged in disorder, and the structure of "9+2" of the flagellar axial filament was incomplete. Of the 4 patients, 1 was homozygous deletion of DPY19L2 gene and 1 was homozygous frameshift mutation of DPY19L2 gene. There were no significance differences in fertilization rate, two pronuclei fertilization rate, day 3 high-quality embryo rate, day 6 blastocyst formation rate and day 6 high-quality blastocyst formation rate between total globozoospermia group and control group (all P>0.05). The developmental dynamic parameters as the time at which the second polar body is extruded, the time when both (or the last) PN disappear, two to six discrete cells in the total globozoospermia group were significantly earlier than those in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the embryo cleavage patterns between the two groups ( P>0.05). Among the 4 patients with total globozoospermia, 2 live births with signal healthy male baby were achieved by fresh embryo transfer, and 2 live births with one signal healthy male baby and one healthy female baby were achieved by frozen-thawed embryo transfer respectively. Conclusion:Abnormal morphology characteristics of spermatozoas from patients with total globozoospermia are obvious, patients with total globozoospermia could have favorable clinical outcomes following ICSI combined with AOA.

Objective:To compare the left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis.Methods:The data of patients who underwent TAVR procedure from March 2013 to December 2018 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into BAV group and TAV group according to cardiac computed tomography. Echocardiographic parameters, including aortic valve peak velocity (Vmax), mean gradient (PGmean), effective orifice area(EOA), interventricular septum diastolic thickness (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall diastolic thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular end diastolic diameter( LVEDd), LV mass index (LVMI), ΔLVMI%, left ventricular ejection fraction( LVEF) of the two groups at baseline, 1 week, 1 month and 1 year post TAVR procedure were obtained and compared.Results:①Compared with preoperative measurements, both groups showed decreases in Vmax, PGmean and increase in EOA at 1 week, 1 month, 1 year follow-ups(all P<0.05). No significant differences were found in Vmax, PGmean, EOA, moderate/sever perivalvular leakage(PVL), moderate/sever prosthetic-patient mismatch(PPM) between BAV group and TAV group at 1 year. ②Both groups showed decreases in IVSd, LVPWd, LVEDd at 1 month, 1 year post TAVR compared with those before the procedure (all P<0.05), as well as increases in LVEF at 1 week, 1 month, 1 year (all P<0.05). Downward trends of LVMI were detected in both groups within 1 year follow-up( P<0.05). ③Compared to TAV group, BAV group showed smaller baseline LVMI( P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in ΔLVMI% post TAVR for all follow-up times of the two groups(all P>0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance also showed no significant differences in downward trend of LVMI between the two groups after TAVR within 1 year( P>0.05). Conclusions:Left ventricular reverse remodeling can be detected in both BAV and TAV patients after TAVR, which starts from 1 week and can be lasted for 1 year post procedure. Patients with bicuspid morphology might experience similar reverse LV remodeling post TAVR versus patients with tricuspid morphology.

Objective:To explore the value of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) guidance for transcatheter DragonFly? system edge-to-edge tricuspid regurgitation (TR) repair.Methods:Five cases who were chosen in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2020 to January 2021 with surgical high-risk and severe functional TR underwent transcatheter DragonFly edge-to-edge repair with the guidance of TEE. Preoperative TEE was used to evaluate the tricuspid valve anatomy and the origin and etiology of regurgitation in detail; intra-procedure guidance of TEE was performed during the DragonFly system for tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair intervention and after release of the DragonFly clip, the effect of surgery was assessed immediately and compared with pre-procedure TEE.Results:A total of 10 DragonFly clips were implanted in 5 patients (3 in each of patients, 2 in 1 patient, and 1 in each of patients). One of the 3 clips in 1 patient fell off unilaterally from the septal valve after release, and the other 9 clips were well positioned and fixed. Immediately post-operation assessment by TEE depicted the TR in 3 patients declined to mild and 2 to moderate. The vena contracta area by using three-dimensional color blood flow quantitative assessment was reduced[(0.93±0.26)cm 2 vs (0.20±0.11)cm 2]. No complications such as serious tricuspid valve injury, pericardial tamponade, thromboembolism occurred in the 5 patients. Conclusions:TEE plays an important role in guiding and monitoring transcatheter DragonFly system edge-to-edge TR repair during the entire procedure.

Objective:To establish a technical system for early judgment and rescue artificial oocyte activation of oocytes after fertilization failed, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to explore the activation efficiency and application value.Methods:Firstly, a retrospective analysis was performed in 150 ICSI cycles cultured by Time-lapse system during January 2017 to March 2018 from Reproductive Medical and Genetic Center, the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the time distribution of the second polar body (Pb2) exclusion and its relationship with fertilization and embryo development outcomes, the feasibility of Pb2 exclusion as an early indicator of fertilization failure in ICSI was discussed. Secondly, 225 fertilization failed oocytes from 93 ICSI cycles during March 2018 to June 2019 were collected for randomized controlled trials according to different artificial activation modes. They were divided into three groups including non-activation group (NAOA group), rescue activation group (RAOA group) and late activation group (LAOA group). At the same time, the rest of injected oocytes from ICSI cycles include in this study were used as control group. Fertilization and embryo development parameters were used to explore the efficiency and application value of rescue artificial activation for after fertilization failure oocytes ICSI.Results:Time-lapse monitoring showed that the fertilization rate and 2PN fertilization rate were 99.91% and 97.76% in the Pb2-exclusion group, 0.03% and 0% in the without Pb2-exclusion group after ICSI, with significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.001); the exclusion time of Pb2 after ICSI was (3.04±1.45) h, and the distribution and proportion of Pb2 exclusion time were 0-3 h (58.00%), 3-5 h (36.29%), 5-8 h (3.92%) and >8 h (1.21%). The Pb2 exclusion rate, the fertilization rate and the 2PN fertilization rate in NAOA group were all 0%, and the 2PN fertilization rate (36.00%), day 3 (D3) high-quality embryo rate (8.00%), day 5 (D5) blastocyst formation rate (0%) and D5 high-quality blastocyst formation rate (0%) in LAOA group were significantly lower than those in RAOA group (60.00%, 44.19%, 51.16%, 25.58%) ( P=0.005, P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.005), and also in control group (97.63%, 48.62%, 63.23%, 37.94%) ( P<0.001); the Pb2 exclusion rate (84.00%), the fertilization rate (81.33%), the 2PN fertilization rate (60.00%) and the 2PN cleavage rate (95.56%) in RAOA group were significantly lower than those in control group (100.00%, 99.68%, 97.63%, 99.51%) ( P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.04). However, there was no significant difference in D3 high-quality embryo rate, D5 blastocyst formation rate and D5 high-quality blastocyst formation rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Time-lapse monitoring of the Pb2 exclusion can be used as an early judgment indicator of fertilization failure in ICSI cycles. Rescue artificial activation of fertilization failed oocytes in 5 h after ICSI can achieve normal fertilization and acceptable embryo development outcomes.

Objective:To establish a technical system for early judgment and rescue artificial oocyte activation of oocytes after fertilization failed, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to explore the activation efficiency and application value.Methods:Firstly, a retrospective analysis was performed in 150 ICSI cycles cultured by Time-lapse system during January 2017 to March 2018 from Reproductive Medical and Genetic Center, the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the time distribution of the second polar body (Pb2) exclusion and its relationship with fertilization and embryo development outcomes, the feasibility of Pb2 exclusion as an early indicator of fertilization failure in ICSI was discussed. Secondly, 225 fertilization failed oocytes from 93 ICSI cycles during March 2018 to June 2019 were collected for randomized controlled trials according to different artificial activation modes. They were divided into three groups including non-activation group (NAOA group), rescue activation group (RAOA group) and late activation group (LAOA group). At the same time, the rest of injected oocytes from ICSI cycles include in this study were used as control group. Fertilization and embryo development parameters were used to explore the efficiency and application value of rescue artificial activation for after fertilization failure oocytes ICSI.Results:Time-lapse monitoring showed that the fertilization rate and 2PN fertilization rate were 99.91% and 97.76% in the Pb2-exclusion group, 0.03% and 0% in the without Pb2-exclusion group after ICSI, with significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.001); the exclusion time of Pb2 after ICSI was (3.04±1.45) h, and the distribution and proportion of Pb2 exclusion time were 0-3 h (58.00%), 3-5 h (36.29%), 5-8 h (3.92%) and >8 h (1.21%). The Pb2 exclusion rate, the fertilization rate and the 2PN fertilization rate in NAOA group were all 0%, and the 2PN fertilization rate (36.00%), day 3 (D3) high-quality embryo rate (8.00%), day 5 (D5) blastocyst formation rate (0%) and D5 high-quality blastocyst formation rate (0%) in LAOA group were significantly lower than those in RAOA group (60.00%, 44.19%, 51.16%, 25.58%) ( P=0.005, P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.005), and also in control group (97.63%, 48.62%, 63.23%, 37.94%) ( P<0.001); the Pb2 exclusion rate (84.00%), the fertilization rate (81.33%), the 2PN fertilization rate (60.00%) and the 2PN cleavage rate (95.56%) in RAOA group were significantly lower than those in control group (100.00%, 99.68%, 97.63%, 99.51%) ( P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.04). However, there was no significant difference in D3 high-quality embryo rate, D5 blastocyst formation rate and D5 high-quality blastocyst formation rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Time-lapse monitoring of the Pb2 exclusion can be used as an early judgment indicator of fertilization failure in ICSI cycles. Rescue artificial activation of fertilization failed oocytes in 5 h after ICSI can achieve normal fertilization and acceptable embryo development outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of a novel echocardiographic three-dimensional automated software for the assessment of the aortic root in candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR).Methods Four patterns(Lax,Lax-Res,Sax,Sax-Res) of 3D-TEE imaging of aortic root were gotten preoperatively in 18 patients with severe tricuspid aortic stenosis who were referred to our center for TAVR.The specialized 3D-TEE reconstruction software,eSie Valves,then automatically configured a geometric model of the aortic root from the images obtained by 3D-TEE and performed a quantitative analysis of these structures:the minimal diameter(Dmin),maximal diameter(Dmax),area and perimeter(Peri) of aortic annulus,height of the ostia of the left/right coronary artery above the aortic annulus(LOH/ROH).The echo dimensions were compared with the MDCT measurements.Results No statistically significant difference were found in above parameters between the ZOOM pattern (Sax-Res and Lax-Res) and CT measurements(all P>0.05).Lax-Res pattern measurements had good correlation with MDCT,with r valves of 0.81,0.77,0.89,0.84 for Lax-Res-Dmin,Lax-Res-Dmax,Lax-Res-Area,Lax-Res-Peri,respectively(all P<0.05).3D-TEE LOH/ROH had poor correlation with MDCT LOH/ROH (all r<0.7).Conclusions The new automatic 3D-TEE software allows modelling and quantifying the aortic annulus dimensions from 3D-TEE data in patients with tricuspid aortic valves,and Lax-Res pattern is recommended.Quantified assessment of LOH/ROH is not ideal and needs to be improved.

Objective To explore the effects of nicorandil on cardiac function and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Method Sixty-six patients with AMI were randomized into a control group and nicorandil group (n = 33 for each group). In the nicorandil group, nicorandil (4 mg as a bolus injection followed by constant infusion at 8 mg/hour for 24 hours) was administered immediately after admission. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by measuring urinary excretion of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and compared between the two groups; cardiac function and cardiac events were also compared. Results Urinary 8-epi-PGF2αexcretion was increased 2-fold at 60 to 90 minutes after PCI in the control group, whereas it was unchanged in the nicorandil group (P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index immediately after PCI and at 6 months were greater in the nicorandil group than in the control group(P < 0.05). Rates of total inhospital cardiac events and rehospitalization were lower in the nicorandil group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Nicorandil improves cardiac function and clinical outcomes in patients with AMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Suppression of ROS formation may be involved in the potential mechanism.

Objective:To observe the thermesthesia thresholds of the heat-sensitive acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to provide scientific evidence for acupoint selection based on acupoint sensitization. Methods:Forty-six patients with KOA of swelling type were recruited. By using the quantitative thermesthesia testing, the thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance at Xuehai (SP 10), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were detected. The subjects were then divided into heat-sensitive groups and non-heat-sensitive groups according to whether there was a phenomenon of heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation at each acupoint, to compare the thermesthesia thresholds between the two groups. Results: The thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance were respectively (38.21±2.03)℃ , (44.4,±1.8,)℃ and (48.,9±0.,4)℃ in the heat-sensitive group of Xuehai (SP 10), versus (3,.,,±1.93)℃ , (42.91±2.0,)℃ and (4,.9,±1.14)℃ in the non-heat-sensitive group of Xuehai (SP 10); the thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance were respectively (3,.4,±1.,,)℃ , (44.,,±1.,3) , and (4,.48±0.4,) in the heat℃℃-sensitive group of Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), versus (3,.92±1.,9)℃ , (42.,2±1.94)℃ and (4,.,3±0.41)℃ in the non-heat-sensitive group of Neixiyan (EX-LE 4); the thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance were respectively (3,.30±2.23)℃ , (44.39±1.92)℃ and (4,.,,±0.,8)℃ in the heat-sensitive group of Yinlingquan (SP 9), versus (3,.0,±1.8,)℃ , (42.,3±1.88)℃ and (4,.91±0.,2)℃ in the non-heat-sensitive group of Yinlingquan (SP 9). The statistical analyses showed that the thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance of each heat-sensitive group (all the three acupoints) were significantly higher than those of each corresponding non-heat-sensitive group (P<0.01). Conclusion:There were differences in the thermesthesia thresholds between heat-sensitized and non-heat-sensitized acupoints in patients with KOA of swelling type; and the thermal sensation threshold, thermal pain threshold, and threshold of thermal pain tolerance of the heat-sensitized points were significantly higher than those of the non-heat-sensitized ones.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; Urinary Retention ; etiology ; therapy