Objective:To clarify the causal relationship between obesity and male infertility through Mendelian randomization(MR)study.Methods:We assessed the causal effect of genetically predicted body mass index(BMI)on the risk of male infertility via a two-sample MR analysis,with the BMIs of 99 998 cases and 12 746 controls as the exposure factor and genetic information on male infertility obtained from a genome-wide association study of 73 479 Europeans.In the univariable MR(UVMR)analysis of the causal relationship,we mainly used inverse variance weighting(IVW),with MR-Egger regression and weighted median filtering as the supplementary methods.Sensitivity analyses including the Cochran's Q test,Egger intercept test,MR-PRESSO,leave-one-out analysis and funnel plot were performed to verify the robustness of the MR results.To evaluate the direct causal effects of BMI on MI risk,mult-ivariable MR(MVMR)was performed.Results:UVMR indicated a causal relationship between genetically predicted BMI and an in-creased risk of male infertility(OR:1.237,95%CI:1.090-1.404,P=0.001).Sensitivity analysis revealed little evidence of bias in the current study(P>0.05).With such risk factors as type 2 diabetes,alcohol consumption and smoking adjusted,MVMR confirmed a direct causal effect of genetically predicted BMI on the risk of male infertility(P<0.05).Conclusion:Genetically pre-dicted BMI may be associated with an increased risk of male infertility.Further studies are expected to explore the underlying mecha-nisms of this association and provide some new strategies for the prevention and treatment of BMI-related male infertility.

Objective To investigate the expression level of serine/threonine phosphoprotein phosphatase 4C(PPP4C)in gastric cancer,and analyze its relationship with prognosis and the underlying regulatory mechanism.Methods The clinical data of 104 gastric cancer patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2012 and August 2016 were collected.Immunohistochemical staining was employed to determine the expression levels of PPP4C and Ki-67 in the gastric cancer tissue.The gastric cancer cell lines BGC823 and HGC27 were cultured and transfected with the vector for PPP4C knockdown,the vector for PPP4C overexpression,and the lentiviral vector(control),respectively.The effects of PPP4C on the cell cycle and proliferation were analyzed and the possible regulatory mechanisms were explored.Results PPP4C was highly expressed in gastric cancer(P<0.001),and its expression promoted malignant progression of the tumor(all P<0.01).Univariate and Cox multivariate analysis clarified that high expression of PPP4C was an independent risk factor affecting the 5-year survival rate of gastric cancer patients(P=0.003).Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis suggested that PPP4C may be involved in the cell cycle.The correlation analysis showed that the expression of PPP4C was positively correlated with that of Ki-67 in gastric cancer(P<0.001).The up-regulation of PPP4C expression increased the proportion of tumor cells in the S phase,alleviated the G2/M phase arrest,and promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6(CDK6)(all P<0.05).The down-regulation of PPP4C decreased the proportion of gastric cancer cells in the S phase,promoted G2/M phase arrest,and inhibited cell proliferation and the expression of cyclin D1,CDK6,and p53(all P<0.05).p53 inhibitors promoted the proliferation of BGC823 and HGC27 cells in the PPP4C knockdown group(P<0.001,P<0.001),while p53 activators inhibited the proliferation of BGC823 and HGC27 cells in the PPP4C overexpression group(P<0.001,P=0.002).Conclusions PPP4C is highly expressed in gastric cancer and affects the prognosis of the patients.It may increase the proportion of gastric cancer cells in the S phase and alleviate the G2/M phase arrest by inhibiting p53 signaling,thereby promoting cell proliferation.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cyclin D1/metabolism* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Prognosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/metabolism* ; Threonine ; Serine

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid, highly sensitive, and quantitative method for the detection of NT-proBNP levels based on a near-infrared point-of-care diagnostic (POCT) device with wide scope.

METHODSThe lateral flow assay (LFA) strip of NT-proBNP was first prepared to achieve rapid detection. Then, the antibody pairs for NT-proBNP were screened and labeled with the near-infrared fluorescent dye Dylight-800. The capture antibody was fixed on a nitrocellulose membrane by a scribing device. Serial dilutions of serum samples were prepared using NT-proBNP-free serum series. The prepared test strips, combined with a near-infrared POCT device, were validated by known concentrations of clinical samples. The POCT device gave the output of the ratio of the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the detection line to that of the quality control line. The relationship between the ratio value and the concentration of the specimen was plotted as a work curve. The results of 62 clinical specimens obtained from our method were compared in parallel with those obtained from the Roche E411 kit.

RESULTSBased on the log-log plot, the new method demonstrated that there was a good linear relationship between the ratio value and NT-proBNP concentrations ranging from 20 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL. The results of the 62 clinical specimens measured by our method showed a good linear correlation with those measured by the Roche E411 kit.

CONCLUSIONThe new LFA detection method of NT-proBNP levels based on the near-infrared POCT device was rapid and highly sensitive with wide scope and was thus suitable for rapid and early clinical diagnosis of cardiac impairment.

Antibodies ; Biomarkers ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Infrared Rays ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Point-of-Care Testing ; Reagent Strips ; Sensitivity and Specificity

A method for the simultaneous determination of sixteen mycotoxins in cogon rootstalk was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadropole mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile contained 1% acetic acid and purified by QuEChERS method. The separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C₁₈column by gradient elution using methanol and 0.01% aqueous formic acid as mobile phase. The targeted compounds were detected in MRM mode by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization(ESI)source operated in positive ionization mode. The linear relationships of the sixteen mycotoxins were good in their respective linear ranges. The correlation coefficients(r)ranged among 0.996 2-1.000. The LOQs of the sixteen mycotoxins were between 0.03 and 186.68 μg•kg ⁻¹. The average recoveries ranged from 60.28% to 129.2% with relative standard deviations(RSDs)within 0.29%-11%. The results demonstrated that the proposed method was sensitive and accurate, and suitable for the mycotoxins quantification in cogon rootstalk.

Obj ectiev The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of bone metastasis on survival in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),Which were treated with gefitinib for more than 6 months,and to identify the prognostic factors of patients with NSCLC presenting bone metastasis .Methods We compared the overall survival(OS), progression-free survival(PFS),1-year2,-year and 3-year survival rates between two cohorts based on bone metastasis ,as well as the prognostic factors in the patients with bone metastasis .Results In total, 76 patients were included in the study ,in which there are44 patients with no bone metastasis and32 patients with bone metastasis.The cohorts were similar in OS (19.000 ±3.317 months vs.26.000 ±2.121 months,P =0.625)as well as PFS (14.000 ±1.843 months vs.16.000 ±1.411 months,P=0.328).The 1-year survival rate was 63.6%in no bone metastasis cohort,but was increased to 96.9%in the other cohort.The survival rates at 2 years(34.1%vs.56.3%,P=0.054)and 3 years(18.2%vs.18.4%,P=0.950)were similar.The univa-riate analysis showed that a worse prognosis was more likely existed in elderly patients ( aged >60 years) and with pulmonary progression ,whereby factors including gender ,pathology s,moking index ,brain metastases ,bone related events and the application of radiotherapy ,bisphosphonates might not be independently associated with the surviv -al late.Analysis of multiple variables indicated a favorable prognosis for patients with no pulmonary progression . Conclusion This retrospective study shows that bone metastasis may not shorten the survival in patients whose pulmonary lesion was controlled by gefitinib .On the contrary ,pulmonary progression may be more likely the cause of death in patients with bone metastasis .Non suggestion is given to discontinue gefitinib when the bone metastasis appears.

To investigate the influence of such individual factors as gender, age and tissues in vitro to the postmortem interval (PMI) by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer in animal experiments. SD rats were classified into male and female groups, different age groups (21-day, 42-day and 63-day group), and tissues in vitro and in vivo groups. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, whose bodies were kept in a controlled environmental chamber set at (20+/-2) degrees C and 50% humidity. The liver, kidney, spleen, myocardium, brain, lung and skeletal muscle tissues were collected for measurement from time zero to 48 h postmortem. With the change of PMI, no obvious changes were found in the main FTIR absorbance peaks and their ratios at different time points. All the experimental groups showed no significant changes when compared with the controls. The gender, age and tissues in vitro were not found to be contributing factors in the estimation of PMI via FTIR spectroscopy.
Age Factors ; Animals ; Autopsy/methods* ; Brain Chemistry ; Female ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Kidney/chemistry* ; Linear Models ; Liver/chemistry* ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal/chemistry* ; Myocardium/chemistry* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sex Factors ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of kinking of extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) in patients with transient ischemic attack. Methods Three hundred and thirty-four patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease performed digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were chosen; they were divided into 2 groups according to vascular morphology through DSA detection: kinking group (angulation smaller than 90°, n=110) and non-kinking group (angulation larger than 90°, n=224). According to the age, the patients were divided into youth group (18-45 years old),middle age group (46-64 years old) and elderly group (older than 65 years old). The influencing factors which may be related to the kinking of EICA, including gender, age, height and stenosis degree, and the risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases were statistically analyzed. Results Univariate analysis found that the kinking group and non-kinking group on the ratio of age, gender, height, and histories of hypertension, smoking and drinking were significantly different (P＜0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the kinking of EICA was obviously correlated to the history of hypertension (OR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.376-4.712, P=0.003) and age (taking youth group as reference group, middle age group:OR=2.610, 95% CI: 1.056-6.452, P=0.038, elderly group: OR=2.929, 95% CI: 1.159-7.401, P=0.023).Conclusion The history of hypertension and age are identified as independent predictors for kinking of EICA in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy.

METHODSThirty-two male patients were treated with sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy in our hospital in the past 5 years. The age of the patients ranged from 38 to 72 years, with the course of the disease ranging from 2 days to 20 years. All of them were potent preoperatively. Radical cystectomy was performed antegradely and retrogradely with the neurovascular bundle spared.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for 6 to 54 months, 3 achieved sexual activity of Grade I, 6 Grade II and 23 Grade III after the operation. The recovery time of erectile function ranged from 2 to 14 months, averaging at 4. 5 months.

CONCLUSIONWhenever condition suits, sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy is to be strongly recommended.

Adult ; Aged ; Coitus ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; innervation

Forest plays very important roles in global system with about 35% land area producing about 70% of total land net production. It is important to consider both elevated CO(2) concentrations and different soil moisture when the possible effects of elevated CO(2) concentration on trees are assessed. In this study, we grew Cinnamomum camphora seedlings under two CO(2) concentrations (350 micromol/mol and 500 micromol/mol) and three soil moisture levels [80%, 60% and 40% FWC (field water capacity)] to focus on the effects of exposure of trees to elevated CO(2) on underground and aboveground plant growth, and its dependence on soil moisture. The results indicated that high CO(2) concentration has no significant effects on shoot height but significantly impacts shoot weight and ratio of shoot weight to height under three soil moisture levels. The response of root growth to CO(2) enrichment is just reversed, there are obvious effects on root length growth, but no effects on root weight growth and ratio of root weight to length. The CO(2) enrichment decreased 20.42%, 32.78%, 20.59% of weight ratio of root to shoot under 40%, 60% and 80% FWC soil water conditions, respectively. And elevated CO(2) concentration significantly increased the water content in aboveground and underground parts. Then we concluded that high CO(2) concentration favours more tree aboveground biomass growth than underground biomass growth under favorable soil water conditions. And CO(2) enrichment enhanced lateral growth of shoot and vertical growth of root. The responses of plants to elevated CO(2) depend on soil water availability, and plants may benefit more from CO(2) enrichment with sufficient water supply.
Biomass ; Carbon Dioxide ; metabolism ; Cinnamomum camphora ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Shoots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Soil ; Trees ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Water ; metabolism