The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens. However, the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear. In this study, ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined. The median (interquartile range) semen collection time for all participants was 7.0 (5.0-11.0) min, and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men (6.0 min vs 7.0 min). An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality. Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartile (Q4) of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration. A longer time to produce semen samples (Q3 and Q4) was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility. In addition, there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology. Higher risks of asthenozoospermia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-3.25, P = 0.002) and teratozoospermia (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.10-3.55, P = 0.02) were observed in Q3 than those in Q1. Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection, which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.
Male ; Humans ; Semen Analysis ; Semen ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Count ; Asthenozoospermia ; Spermatozoa

Background/Aims: Diagnosis of isolated laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms (ILPRS), ie, without concomitant typical reflux symptoms (CTRS), remains difficult. Mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) reflects impaired mucosal integrity. We determined whether esophageal MNBI could predict pathological esophagopharyngeal reflux (pH+) in patients with ILPRS. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in Taiwan, non-erosive or low-grade esophagitis patients with predominant laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms underwent combined hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring when off acid suppressants. Participants were divided into the ILPRS (n = 94) and CTRS (n = 63) groups. Asymptomatic subjects without esophagitis (n = 25) served as healthy controls. The MNBI values at 3 cm and 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the proximal esophagus were measured. Results: Distal but not proximal esophageal median MNBI values were significantly lower in patients with pH+ than in those with pH– (ILPRS in pH+ vs pH–: 1607 Ω vs 2709 Ω and 1885 Ω vs 2563 Ω at 3 cm and 5 cm above LES, respectively; CTRS in pH+ vs pH–: 1476 vs 2307 Ω and 1500 vs 2301 Ω at 3 cm and 5 cm above LES, respectively, P < 0.05 for all). No significant differences of any MNBI exist between any pH– subgroups and healthy controls. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the ILPRS group were 0.75 and 0.80, compared to the pH– subgroup and healthy controls (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Interobserver reproducibility was good (Spearman correlation 0.93, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Distal esophageal MNBI predicts pathological reflux in patients with ILPRS.

Background/Aims: Real-world studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) plus ribavirin (RBV) for Child-Pugh B/C hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis are limited. Methods: We included 107 patients with Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis receiving SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks in Taiwan. The sustained virologic response rates at off-treatment week 12 (SVR12) for the evaluable population (EP), modified EP, and per-protocol population (PP) were assessed. Thesafety profiles were reported. Results: The SVR12 rates in the EP, modified EP and PP were 89.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82.5–94.2%), 94.1% (95% CI, 87.8–97.3%), and 100% (95% CI, 96.2–100%). Number of patients who failed to achieve SVR12 were attributed to virologic failures. The SVR12 rates were comparable regardless of patient characteristics. One patient discontinued treatment because of adverse events (AEs). Twenty-four patients had serious AEs and six died, but none were related to SOF/VEL or RBV. Among the 96 patients achieving SVR12, 84.4% and 64.6% had improved Child-Pugh and model for endstage liver disease (MELD) scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that a baseline MELD score ≥15 was associated with an improved MELD score of ≥3 (odds ratio, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.16–14.71; P=0.02). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1 had more significant estimated glomerular filtration rate declines than patients with CKD stage 2 (-0.42 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P=0.01) or stage 3 (-0.56 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P<0.001). Conclusions SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks is efficacious and well-tolerated for Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis.

Background/Aims: Real-world studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) plus ribavirin (RBV) for Child-Pugh B/C hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis are limited. Methods: We included 107 patients with Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis receiving SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks in Taiwan. The sustained virologic response rates at off-treatment week 12 (SVR12) for the evaluable population (EP), modified EP, and per-protocol population (PP) were assessed. Thesafety profiles were reported. Results: The SVR12 rates in the EP, modified EP and PP were 89.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82.5–94.2%), 94.1% (95% CI, 87.8–97.3%), and 100% (95% CI, 96.2–100%). Number of patients who failed to achieve SVR12 were attributed to virologic failures. The SVR12 rates were comparable regardless of patient characteristics. One patient discontinued treatment because of adverse events (AEs). Twenty-four patients had serious AEs and six died, but none were related to SOF/VEL or RBV. Among the 96 patients achieving SVR12, 84.4% and 64.6% had improved Child-Pugh and model for endstage liver disease (MELD) scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that a baseline MELD score ≥15 was associated with an improved MELD score of ≥3 (odds ratio, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.16–14.71; P=0.02). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1 had more significant estimated glomerular filtration rate declines than patients with CKD stage 2 (-0.42 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P=0.01) or stage 3 (-0.56 mL/min/1.73 m2/month; P<0.001). Conclusions SOF/VEL plus RBV for 12 weeks is efficacious and well-tolerated for Child-Pugh B/C HCV-related cirrhosis.

Objective To observe the role of ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM)in two-year post-operative follow-up for primary open-angle glaucoma patients with modified CO
Carbon Dioxide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/surgery* ; Humans ; Microscopy, Acoustic ; Sclera/diagnostic imaging* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment methods and experience of open fracture of lower limb in high altitude area. METHODS: From January 2016 to January 2021, 62 patients with open fractures of lower limbs were treated by staged surgery with the concept of injury control orthopedics, emphasizing wound treatment and combining various fracture fixation methods. There were 51 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 14 to 59 years old, with a mean of (37.2±12.3) years old; and the course of disease ranged from 7 to 59 days, with a mean of (23.7±15.5) days. According to Gustilo Anderson classification, there were 14 cases of typeⅠ, 24 cases of typeⅡ, 14 cases of typeⅢA, 8 cases of typeⅢB and 2 cases of typeⅢC. The fracture repair and wound healing were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated by Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 4 to 36 months, with a mean of (14.7±8.5) months, and 7 cases were lost to follow-up. According to Johner-Wruhs evaluation criteria, 33 cases got an excellent result, 16 good, 4 poor and 2 bad. The wound healing was poor in 2 cases, partial necrosis of Achilles tendon in 1 case, nonunion of fracture in 1 case and delayed healing of fracture in 2 cases. CONCLUSION It is an effective method to treat the open fracture of lower extremity in high altitude area to pay attention to the management of soft tissue injury, the management of wound moisturizing, staged operation of fracture and full protection of blood supply at the fracture end. Paying attention to the treatment of soft tissue injury and the management of wound moisturizing, staged operation of fracture and full protection of blood supply at the fracture end are effective methods for the treatment of open fracture of lower limbs in high altitude areas.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and cytokines play an important role in occurrence and recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and function of pDC and serum cytokine network profiles in patients with acute or chronic HBV infection.

METHODSThe healthy individuals (HI group), hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV patients in immune tolerance (IT) phase (IT group), HBeAg-positive chronic HBV patients (CHB group), and acute HBV patients (AHB group) were enrolled in this study. The frequency of cluster of differentiation antigen 86 (CD86) + pDC and the counts of CD86 molecular expressed on surface of pDC were tested by flow cytometer. The quantitative determinations of cytokines, including Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L), interferon (IFN)-α2, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2, were performed using Luminex multiplex technology.

RESULTSIn this study, there were 13 patients in HI group, 30 in IT group, 50 in CHB group, and 32 in AHB group. Compared with HI group, HBV infected group (including all patients in IT, CHB and AHB groups) had significantly higher counts of CD86 molecular expressed on the surface of pDC (4596.5 ± 896.5 vs. 7097.7 ± 3124.6; P < 0.001). The counts of CD86 molecular expressed on the surface of pDC in CHB group (7739.2 ± 4125.4) was significantly higher than that of IT group (6393.4 ± 1653.6, P = 0.043). Compared with IT group, the profile of cytokines of Flt-3L, IFN-γ, and IL-17A was decreased, IFN-α2 was significantly increased (P = 0.012) in CHB group. The contents of IL-10, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2 in AHB group were significantly increased compared with IT and CHB groups (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that the function of pDC was unaffected in HBV infection. The enhanced function of pDC and IFN-α2 might involve triggering the immune response from IT to hepatitis active phase in HBV infection. Acute patients mainly presented as down-regulation of the immune response by enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β.

This study aimed to assess the relationship of OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking C/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility to Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection.We investigated 294 hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) Chinese children with EV71 infection (165 mild cases and 129 encephalitis cases).The improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) technique was used to test the genotypes.In EV71-infected patients,the CA genotype distribution (P=0.007),A allele frequency (OR 1.32,95％ CI 1.0-1.7,P=0.034)and CA+AA carriage frequency (P=0.003) of OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking were obviously elevated as compared with controls,but there were no statistically significant differences between mild cases and encephalitis cases.In EV71-infected patients,the counts of white blood cells (P=0.034) and blood glucose concentrations (P=0.042) were raised in A carriers (CA+AA).Among different genotypes of encephalitis cases,the contents of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed no significant differences.IFN-γ levels in EV71-infected patients were higher than those in controls (mild group vs.control group,P＜0.01;encephalitis group vs.control group,P＜0.001).In encephalitis cases,IFN-γ levels were reduced (P＜0.05) in A carriers compared to CC genotype,however,there were no significant differences between genotypes CA and AA (P=0.226).These findings suggest that OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking C/A genetic polymorphisms involve the susceptibility to EV71 infection,and A allele might be a risk factor of the susceptibility to EV-71 infection.

Bismuth modified boron doped diamond (BDD) film electrode was employed for simultaneous determination of trace ZnⅡ,CdⅡand PbⅡby anodic stripping voltammetry.BiⅢwas simultaneously in-situ deposited on bismuth modified boron doped diamond electrode with ZnⅡ,CdⅡ and PbⅡ by pre-concentration.In the presence of BiⅢ,the sensitivity for determination of ZnⅡ,CdⅡ and PbⅡ was remarkably enhanced.Influence factors such as bismuth concentration,boron doped concentrations of BDD electrode,pH,preconcentration potential were investigated and optimized.Under the optimal conditions,the stripping peak currents increased linearly with the increasing concentration of ZnⅡ,CdⅡ and PbⅡ in the range of 10-300 μg/L.The limit of detection was 0.56 μg/L for ZnⅡ,0.32 μg/L for CdⅡand 0.75 μg/L for PbⅡ (S/N=3),respectively.The interference experiments showed that common ions had little influence on the determination except CuⅡ.In addition,the developed electrode displayed a good repeatability.The method was successfully applied to determination of ZnⅡ,CdⅡ and PbⅡ in real water samples with the standard addition recoveries of 92.0%-114.0%.

Objective To establish a method for specific gene editing of the second exon of mouse MAD2L1 gene by CRISPR/Cas9, and analyze its off-target effect. Methods The gene editing site for MAD2L1 gene was designed by CHOP?CHOP, and the Cas9?MAD2L1 vector was constructed based on the designed editing site. Cas9?MAD2L1 was then transfected into NIH/3T3 cells and screened with puromycin, followed by observing GFP expression using fluorescence microscopy. The genomic DNA from transfected cells was extracted and a partial fragment of MAD2L1 gene was amplified by PCR. T7E1 analy?sis and Sangger sequencing were used for gene editing and off?target analysis. Results After Cas9?MAD2L1 transfection and puromycin screening, a large number of GFP?expressing cells were observed under the fluorescence microscope. Combined the PCR result with TE71 analysis, the amplified 228 bp PCR products can be digested into 166 bp and 62 bp fragments. The se?quencing result showed that the second exon of MAD2L1 gene was successfully edited, and the off?target effect was undetected in our system. Conclusions The method for specific gene editing of the second exon of mouse MAD2L1 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 is successfully established, and off?target effect of MAD2L1 gene is not detected.