ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the temporal pattern of postmortem color changes in the pupil region of the cornea for noninvasive estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two rabbit models of air embolism and drowning were established in a dark room at a temperature of 20 ℃ with a relative humidity of 30%. The corneal images of the rabbits were acquired using a digital camera at two-hour intervals within 72 h after death. The pupil region on the corneal images was segmented using computer image processing technique (MATLAB), and the parameters of 6 image color features (RGBHSV) were extracted. Regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between these parameters and the PMI, and the effects of different death causes on the changes of the corneal color features were also assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Within 72 h after death from different causes, the R, G and B values of the pupil region on the corneal images all tended to increase with the PMI, showing a good fitting with the PMI ( < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between the values of H, S and V and the PMI (>0.05). The R, G and B values in the pupil region on the corneal images showed consistent variation trends after death from the two causes, and their correlations with PMI were also similar. The measured values of R, G and B in air embolism group were greater than those in the drowning group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The postmortem color changes of the pupil region on corneal images follow an identifiable temporal pattern and can vary across different causes of death. The regression equations established in this study provide references for non-invasive and objective estimation of the PMI.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective To use Q value method to assess the effect of combination therapy with vitamin E and vitamin C for idiopathic asthenospermia. Methods 76 patients diagnosed as idiopathic asthenospermia by computer-assisted semen analysis according to the WHO criteria were selected at the andrology clinic from August 2012 to November 2013. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was measured by using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. Vit C group received vitamin C 200 mg thrice daily, vit E group received vitamin E 100 mg thrice daily , and the combination group received vitamins E and C for 12 weeks. Repeat semen analysis and MDA measurement were conducted after treatment, and the Q value which evaluated whether a synergistic interaction existed was calculated. Results MDA concentration decreased in all the groups, with the lowest concentration in the combination group. While all the groups achieved improvement in term of progressive motility , with the combination group presented far more better than the other two groups , exhibiting a synergistic interaction, with a Q value of 1.18. Conclusion Combination therapy with vitamin E and vitamin C has a marked internal synergistic effect on antioxidation in the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the association between functional polymorphism IVS8-poly (T) in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and prostate cancer risk.Methods A population-based case-control study was conducted including 230 prostate cancer patients and 230 agematched controls.PCR-STRP was used to analysis the IVS8-poly (T) tract in CFTR gene.Results The prevalences of the low expression allele,the IVS8-5T,in prostate cancer patients and controls were 1.52 ％ (7/460) and 5.22 ％ (24/460),respectively (x2 =12.489,P =0.002).Logistic regression analysis confirmed the 5T/7T genotype was in protective association with prostate cancer risk (OR =0.232,P =0.003,95 ％ CI0.090-0.599).Conclusion The low expression CFTR IVS8-5T allele contributes to a reduced risk of prostate cancer in Chinese Han population,and may be a protective factor against prostate cancer.