Incremental value of epicardial fat volume on predicting obstructive coronary artery disease with myocardial ischemia / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial ischemia, and evaluate the incremental value of EFV on top of traditional risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and single photon emission computerized tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2018 to November 2019 were consecutively enrolled. EFV and CAC were measured by non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Obstructive CAD was defined as coronary artery stenosis≥50% in at least one of the major epicardial coronary arteries, and myocardial ischemia was defined as reversible perfusion defects in stress and rest MPI. Obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia was defined in patients with coronary stenosis severity≥50% and reversible perfusion defects in the corresponding areas of SPECT-MPI. Patients with myocardial ischemia bot without obstructive CAD were defined as none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. We collected and compared the general clinical data, CAC and EFV between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between EFV and obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. ROC curves were performed to determine whether addition of EFV improved predictive value beyond traditional risk factors and CAC for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Results: Among the 164 patients with suspected CAD, 111 patients were males, and average age was (61.4±9.9) years old. 62 (37.8%) patients were included into the obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. 102 (62.2%) patients were included into the none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group. EFV was significantly higher in obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group than in none-obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia group ((135.63±33.29)cm3 and (105.18±31.16)cm3, P<0.01). Univariate regression analysis showed the risk of obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia increased by 1.96 times for each SD increase in EFV(OR 2.96; 95%CI, 1.89-4.62; P<0.01). After adjustment for traditional risk factors and CAC, EFV remained as an independent predictor for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia (OR, 4.48, 95%CI, 2.17-9.23; P<0.01). Addition of EFV to CAC and traditional risk factors was related to larger AUC for predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia (0.90 vs. 0.85, P=0.04, 95%CI: 0.85-0.95) and the global chi-square increased by 21.81 (P<0.05). Conclusions: EFV is an independent predictor for obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia. Addition of EFV to traditional risk factors and CAC has incremental value for predicting obstructive CAD with myocardial ischemia in this patient cohort.

Advances on the role of primary cilia in neurological diseases / 生理学报

Primary cilium, widely distributed in mammalian central nervous system, is an important extracellular organelle of cells. The primary cilia contain a variety of ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors and different kinds of kinases, which indicates that primary cilia can detect extracellular signals and transduce them into cells to regulate various cellular and physiological processes. In humans, mutations of genes related to structure and function of primary cilia always cause various monogenetic diseases. Moreover, a series of neuropsychiatric diseases and neurodevelopmental dysplasia are caused by abnormal functions of G-protein coupled receptors, kinases and ion channels in primary cilia. This article reviews recent research progress on the role of primary cilia in related neurological diseases.

Psychological Support for Medical Rescue Teams in Emergencies / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@# Emergencies refer to those events that cause serious social harm, including natural disasters and public health events, and require emergency response. Medical rescue team is the main emergency rescue team. While carrying out the rescue mission, they are under great pressure both physically and mentally due to the unadaptability of the rescue environment, the lack of protective materials, overwork and other reasons, often resulting in fear, tension, anxiety, pessimism, self-blame and even acute stress disorder. Without timely and effective psychological support, long-term psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder will remain after the event. Comprehensive psychological support includes psychological measurement of the whole rescue process, team formation before rescue and detailed psychological support intervention training, self-relaxation during rescue, basic life and safety guarantee, drug treatment, online psychological assistance, withdrawal of stressors after rescue and lifestyle reconstruction.

Neuroprotective effect of icariin on spinal cord injury in rats / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To study the neuroprotective effect of icariin on spinal cord injury in rats.@*METHODS@#A total 108 SPF male 3-month-old SD rats were divided into experimental group, control group and sham operation group according to the random number table. There were 36 rats in each group. In the control group and the experimental group, the modified Allen's method was used to make the spinal cord injury model. In the sham operation group, only the lamina was cut without damaging the spinal cord. Immediately after operation, the experimental group was given intragastric administration of icariin(100 mg/kg), the control group and sham operation group were given an equal amount of normal saline by gavage, twice a day. BBB score was used to assess the motor function of rats on 1, 2, 3 days after operation. At 72 h after operation, the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured by spectrophotometry. Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β expression were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by thiobarbituric acid method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis and apoptosis index(AI) was calculated. The histopathological changes of the spinal cord were observed under a light microscope and the histopathological score was performed using Sirin score method.@*RESULTS@#BBB score in the control group and the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the sham operation group at each postoperative time point(<0.05). BBB score in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 2 and 3 days after operation (<0.05). At 72 h after operation, the MPO activity and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β in the control group and experimental group were significantly higher than in the sham operation group (<0.05), and the experimental group was obviously higher than control group(<0.05). The expressions of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β in the control group and experimental group were significantly higher than in the sham operation group (<0.05), and the experimental group was significantly lower than of the control group (<0.05). MDA content in the control group and the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group, and the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (<0.05). SOD activity in the control group and the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the sham operation group, and the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (<0.05). The AI in the control group and the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group, and the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (<0.05). The histopathological score in the control group and the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group, and the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Icariin can inhibit inflammation, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after spinal cord injury, reduce histopathological damage of spinal cord, improve the motor function, effectively protect spinal cord tissue, and has an obvious neuroprotective effect.

Icariin alleviates lipid peroxidation after spinal cord injury in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effects of intragastric administration of icariin on lipid peroxidation after spinal cord injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two healthy adult male SD rats were randomized equally into icariin group, control group and sham-operated group. In the control and icariin groups, spinal cord injury was induced using modified Allen's method, and the rats in the sham-operated group underwent laminotomy without damaging the spinal cord. Immediately after the surgery, the rats in icariin group were subjected to intragastric administration of icariin (100 mg/kg), and those in the control and sham-operated groups received an equal volume of saline in the same manner once a day. At 24 h after the operation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected using thiobarbituric acid method, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured with xanthine oxidase method, and the water content in the spinal cord was measured using dry-wet weight method. At 48 h after the operation, the ultrastructure of the spinal cord was observed with transmission electron microscopy and scored using Kaptanoglu scoring method. The motor function of the rats was assessed using BBB scoring at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 24 h after the operation, MDA content was significantly higher in the control group and icariin group than in the sham-operated group, and was significantly lower in icariin group than in the control group (P<0.05); SOD activity was significantly higher in icariin group than in the control group, and was both significantly lower than that in the sham-operated group (P<0.05). At 48 h after operation, the water content and ultrastructure score of the spinal cord were the highest in sham-operated group (P<0.05), and were significantly lower in icariin group than in the control group (P<0.05). At all the time points of measurement, the BBB scores were significantly lower in the control and icariin groups than in the sham-operated group (P<0.05), and were significantly higher in icariin group than in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Icariin can significantly reduce MDA content, increase SOD activity, and ameliorate lipid peroxidation, spinal cord edema, and histopathological damage of the spinal cord to improve motor function of rats with spinal cord injury.</p>

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for infertile males with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common genetic renal diseases, which may cause oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia and result in male infertility. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in male patients with ADPKD-induced infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 7 male patients with ADPKD-induced infertility undergoing PGD from April 2015 to February 2017, including 6 cases of oligoasthenospermia and 1 case of obstructive azoospermia, all with the PKD1 gene heterozygous mutations. Following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), we performed blastomere biopsy after 5 or 6 days of embryo culture and subjected the blastomeres to Sureplex whole-genome amplification, followed by haplotype linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, array-based comparative genomic hybridization to assess the chromosomal ploidy of the unaffected embryos, and identification of the unaffected euploid embryos for transfer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One PGD cycle was completed for each of the 7 patients. Totally, 26 blastocysts were developed, of which 12 were unaffected and diploid. Clinical pregnancies were achieved in 6 cases following 7 cycles of frozen embryo transplantation, which included 5 live births and 1 spontaneous abortion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For males with ADPKD-induced infertility, PGD may contribute to high rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth and prevent ADPKD in the offspring as well. This finding is also meaningful for the ADPKD patients with normal fertility.</p>

BANCR promotes cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of HepG2 / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To analyze the effects of BANCR on proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and angiogenesis in human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2.Methods:The expression of BANCR was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).BANCR siRNA and Scramble was respectively transfected into human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8.Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the apoptosis.Transwell assay was used to test the invasion.Angiogenesis was analyse by tube formation assay.Western blot was executed to check the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),caspase-3,matrix metalloprotein 9 (MMP-9),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),acidic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)and interferon-γ (IFN-γ).Results:The expression of BANCR in HepG2 was higher than L02 (P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the cell proliferation folds in BANCR siRNA was largely decreased.Besides,BANCR siRNA group had a higher apoptosis rate and less invasive cells (P＜0.05).Western blot showed that the expression level of caspase-3 and IFN-γwas obviously enhanced in BANCR siRNA group,and the expression of PCNA,MMP-9,Fn,Vimentin,VEGF and bFGF was distinctly surpressed in BANCR siRNA group compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion:siRNA interference of BANCR promotes apoptosis and represses proliferation,invasion and angiogenesis in human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2.

Effect of primary tooth root resorption on the isolation of dental pulp stem cells from primary teeth / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells are derived from a variety of tissues, such as bone marrow, pulp, placenta, umbilical cord and adipose tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells from deciduous pulp have strong stemness and biological activity, no rejection, and strong immunoregulation, which are one of excellent cell sources for biotherapy. It is easy and suitable for large-scale production of mesenchymal stem cells from deciduous pulp, thereby laying a good foundation for the industrialization of dental pulp stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of primary tooth root resorption on the isolation and expansion of dental pulp stem cells, in order to further determine the proper period for tooth extraction for pulp stem cell isolation. METHODS: Totally 173 primary teeth from 173 pupils aged 7-9 years were extracted for the isolation and expansion of dental pulp stem cells. Before tooth extraction, we took X-ray periapical film or orthopantomography of the primary teeth, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) professional inspection standard. Root resorption in primary teeth could be divided into five kinds: root resorption 1/3, root resorption 1/2, root resorption 2/3, complete root resorption, and natural loss of primary teeth. Collected teeth after tooth extraction were placed into a medium within 7 seconds, and stored at in a refrigerator of 2-4 ℃. Then, the teeth were sent to the Oral Stem Cell Bank in Beijing within 24 hours by a professional cold-chain logistics for the isolation, expansion and preservation of dental pulp stem cells. Statistical analysis of the test results was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For 32 primary teeth with root resorption 1/3, dental pulp stem cells were successfully extracted from 30 teeth, with a success rate of 94%, and ectopic eruption of permanent teeth was found in 12 cases, with an average eruption time of (2.19±0.18) months. For 35 primary teeth with root resorption 1/2, dental pulp stem cells were successfully extracted from 32 teeth, with a success rate of 92%, and ectopic eruption of permanent teeth was found in 11 cases, with an average eruption time of (1.89±0.13) months. For 59 primary teeth with root resorption 2/3, dental pulp stem cells were successfully extracted from 54 teeth, with a success rate of 92%, and ectopic eruption of permanent teeth was found in 8 cases, with an average eruption time of (1.42±0.12) months. For 37 primary teeth with complete root resorption (the bottom of the pulp was intact), dental pulp stem cells were successfully extracted from 34 teeth, with a success rate of 92%, and ectopic eruption of permanent teeth was found in 2 cases, with an average eruption time of (1.03±0.15) months. For 10 naturally exfoliated primary teeth, dental pulp stem cells were not extracted, and ectopic eruption of permanent teeth was found in 4 cases, with an average eruption time of (0.65±0.23) months. To conclude, the primary teeth naturally exfoliated have no dental pulp with no stem cells; the success rate of extraction is relatively high in primary teeth that have mobility I-II, root resorption 2/3 or complete root resorption but with the complete bottom of the pulp. Moreover, it has no effect on permanent tooth eruption, and it is the best time for collection of primary teeth.

Nucleotide polymorphism rs4880 of the SOD2 gene and the risk of male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the correlation of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4880 of the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene with the risk of male infertility.@*METHODS@#This casecontrol study included 519 male patients with idiopathic infertility (aged 19－40 ［28.93±4.93］ years) in the case group and 338 fertile men (aged 19－40 ［28.40±4.25］ years) in the control group. We collected the clinical data, genotyped the SNP rs4880 of the SOD2 gene by Sequenom Mass Array, and analyzed the association of different genotypes with male infertility using the logistic regression model.@*RESULTS@#Statically significant differences were observed between the case and control groups in the level of folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) (［4.72±2.51］ vs ［15.65±17.24］ U/L, P< 0.01), the percentage of progressively mobile sperm (［9.12±13.5］ vs ［41.95±9.03］%, P< 0.01), and sperm concentration (［12.95±24.38］ vs ［72.88±45.60］ ×106/ml, P< 0.01), but not in other parameters. No correlation was found between male infertility and the heterozygous genotype TC (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.65－1.25, P = 0.516) or the homozygous genotype CC (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 0.38－5.81, P = 0.566) as compared with the wild genotype TT, and similar results were obtained in the analysis of the subgroups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The SNP rs4880 of the SOD2 gene was not correlated with male infertility, which, however, is to be supported by further studies with larger samples from more areas.

Impact of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in infertile males / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.</p>

Impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index and sperm malformation rate on the clinical outcome of ICSI / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm malformation rate (SMR) before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and their impact on the clinical outcome of ICSI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 79 cycles of ICSI because of oligoasthenozoospermia. We detected the sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, DFI and SMR at 3 to 6 months before ICSI, and analyzed the relationship of DFI and SMR with the outcome parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 79 oligoasthenozoospermia cases, DFI was found to be normal (< or = 25%) in 51 and abnormal (> 25%) in the other 28, significantly increased in the latter (14.18% vs 41.47%), and coincidently, SMR, too, was normal (< or = 96%) in 51 cases and abnormal (> 96%) in 28, significantly higher in the abnormal than in the normal cases (87.88% vs 98.46%). There were no significant differences between the normal and abnormal DFI groups in age, females'BMI, number of oocytes retrieved, and number of embryos transferred, nor between the normal and abnormal SMR groups in the number of fertilized oocytes and quality embryos, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and early pregnancy loss. Sperm DFI was significantly positively correlated with SMR (r = 0.231, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICSI may reduce the rates of biochemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy for men with increased sperm DFI (> 25%) and SMR (> 96%) by strict detection criteria, but with no statistically significant difference from normal males. Our findings need to be supported by further studies with larger sample sizes.</p>

Meiotic analysis of spermatogenic cells in severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with chromosome 13 rearrangement / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible mechanisms of spermatogenic arrest in severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia induced by supernumerary, ring-neocentric 13q12.3 --> 13q22 chromosome and reciprocal deletion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a genomic-wide high-density oaCGH analysis for a case of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with abnormal chromosome 13 to characterize the breakpoints of the chromosome involved or the gene deletion caused by the rearrangement. We also conducted a fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on the germ cells using probes of 13q14/13qter to observe the pairing condition of homologous chromosome 13.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We identified by oaCGH analysis a microdeletion of 4 consecutive probes (A_16_P19757882, A_16_P02744617, A_14_ P108858 and A_16_P02744687 at chr13q12.3: 27979261 --> 28039191) with 59.93 kb between the FLT1 and POMP genes, with no annotated genes in the deleted region. The signals of 13q14 and 13qter were separated from each other in 90% of all the primary spermatocytes examined, indicating the unpairing of homologous chromosome 13 or synapse failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chromosomal rearrangement-induced spermatogenesis failure is caused by the unpairing of the homologous chromosomes involved in the first meiotic division of germ cells.</p>

Expression of ZEB-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and its significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate ZEB-l protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and the relevant significance. Methods Immunohistochemical method and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the ZEB-l protein expression in 62 HCC tissues,48 paracancerous cirrhotic tissues and 10 normal liver tissues. The relationship between ZEB-l protein expression and clinicopathological features of HCC was evaluated. Results Immunohistochemical staining showed that the positive rates of ZEB-l protein expression in HCC tissues and paracancerous cirrhotic tissues were 93. 5% (58/ 62) and 83.3 (40/48), respectively. Western blotting analysis showed that ZEB-l protein expression in HCC tissues was significantly higher than those in the paracancerous cirrhotic tissues and normal liver tissues (P0. 05). Conclusion High expression of ZEB-l is correlated with the development and progression of HCC. ZEB-l might also participate in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells, subsequently contributing to the invasion and metastasis.

Safety evaluation of the offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technology with donor's semen / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate and compare the incidences of birth defects in the offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART), including artificial insemination with the donor's semen (AID), in vitro fertilization with donor's semen (IVF-D) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection with the donor's semen (ICSI-D), and in those conceived through ART with the husband's semen, including AIH, IVF and ICSI, in order to further evaluate the safety of ART with the donor's semen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to October 2009, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank provided sperm copies to 11 medical institutions, which resulted in a total of 904 offspring born by ART. We followed up all these cases and investigated the status of the offspring. The control group included 4195 offspring of infertile couples from 4 Reproductive Medical Centers approved by health management administrations, which were conceived by ART in the same period. After investigating the number of offspring and cases of birth defects caused by various methods of assisted reproductive technology, we compared the incidence of birth defects resulting from the donor's semen and that from the husband's.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 7 cases of birth defects (0.77%) in the offspring born by ART with the donor's semen, and 42 cases (1.00%) in those born by ART with the husband's semen, with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There were no significant differences in the category of birth defects between ART with the donor's semen and that with the husband's, while the incidence of birth defects resulting from ART with the donor's semen was significantly lower than that from ICSI in infertile couples. The present findings indicate a higher safety of ART with the donor's semen.</p>

Y-chromosome microdeletions do not affect the outcomes of ICSI for infertile males / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile males with Y-chromosome microdeletions and for those with azoospermia or severe oligospermia but without Y-chromosome microdeletions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 56 cycles of ICSI for 48 infertile cases with Y microdeletions (Group A) and 94 cycles for 90 cases with azoospermia or severe oligospermia but without Y-chromosome microdeletions (Group B) during the same period. We compared the two groups in the females' age, duration of infertility, males' age, number of oocytes retrieved, number of ICSI oocytes, fertilization rate, good embryo rate, number of embryos transferred, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and babies' sexes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between Groups A and B in the females' age, duration of infertility, males' age, number of oocytes retrieved, number of ICSI oocytes and number of embryos transferred (P > 0.05), nor in the rates of fertilization (69.0% vs 73.2%), good embryos (53.3% vs 48.7%), implantation (24.0% vs 30.3%), biochemical pregnancy (41.1% vs 44.7%), clinical pregnancy (37.5% vs 35.1%), early abortion (4.8% vs 6.1%) and live birth (35.7% vs 29.2%) (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Y-chromosome microdeletions do not affect the outcomes of ICSI. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitability of vertical transmission to male offspring.</p>

Influence of surface modification of titanium on OPG/RANKL mRNA expression in MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of surface modification of titanium on OPG/RANKL mRNA expression in human osteoblast-like cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were seeded on the titanium plates with surface polishing and with surface modification by sandblasting plus acid-base treatment, with the cells on glass slides as the control. On days 2, 4, 6, and 8 following cell seeding, the cells were harvested for examination of OPG/RANKL mRNA expression using RT-PCR and real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of OPG/RANKL mRNA was sensitive to the surface microphotography. Compared with the other groups, the cells on the titanium plates with sandblasting plus acid-base treatment, which resulted in a porous micro-structure and high roughness, showed significantly up-regulated expression of OPG mRNA. OPG mRNA expression also showed a time-dependent up-regulation, and was the highest on day 8. The expression of the RANKL mRNA in cells on both of the titanium plates was higher than that in the control cells. The peak level of RANKL mRNA expression occurred on day 6 followed by a gradual decrease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A rough and porous surface of the culture plates and prolonged culture time can synergistically up-regulate the ratio of OPG/RANKL mRNA.</p>

Influence of zirconia content on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramic / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of zirconia content which is 0-30.0% weight percentage of matrix on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven groups were divided according to different weight percentage of zirconia (0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10.0%, 20.0% and 30.0%). After sintering, infiltrating and polishing, spectral transmittance was determined with spectrophotometer under D65 standard source. Contrast ratio was also tested by whiteness colorimeter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With mass fraction of zirconia increasing from 0 to 30.0%, spectral transmittance reduced from 0.406% to 0.058%, while contrast ratio value increased from 0.849 +/- 0.005 to 1.015 +/- 0.006. When zirconia content was 10.0%, contrast ratio was 0.990 +/- 0.008. When it was more than 10.0%, transmission rate of the downward trend and contrast ratio of the rising trend became flat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Zirconia content has a direct impact on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramic, which is essentially opaque when zirconia content is 10.0%. When mass fraction of zirconia is more than 10.0%, the influence of zirconia content is reduced.</p>

Sperm chromatin structure assay predicts the outcome of intrauterine insemination / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), as a clinically practical technique for the analysis of DNA damage, is rarely reported in China. This study focuses on the correlation of DNA damage with the pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination (IUI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed semen analysis for 482 couples undergoing IUI, calculated the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by SCSA, and observed the relationship between DFI and the pregnancy rate of IUI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 5 (5.26%) of the 95 cases with DFI > 25%, and in 59 (15.25%) of the 387 cases with DFI < or = 25%. Those with sperm DFI >25% had significantly lower rates of biochemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy than those with DFI < or = 25% (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.96 and OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16 - 0.97). No significant differences were found in the DFI of 54 cases between the first and the second cycle ([15.05 +/- 7.98]% vs [17.25 +/- 12.18]%, P > 0.05). Sperm DFI was significantly negatively correlated with sperm concentration, sperm motility and total progressively motile sperm count (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pregnancy rate of IUI is significantly lower in couples with DFI >25% than in those with DFI < or = 25%. Sperm DFI obtained from SCSA is partly correlated with sperm concentration and motility, and it is a robust predictor of the IUI outcome.</p>

Clinical value of artificial insemination by donor / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical value of artificial insemination by donor (AID).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 480 cycles of AID among 258 infertile couples, who were divided according to the women's age into a < or = 30 yr group and a > or = 31 yr group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 120 pregnancies were achieved in 480 AID cycles, with a cycle pregnancy rate of 25.00% and a cumulative pregnancy rate of 46.51%. In the natural cycles, the cycle pregnancy rate was 29.65% and the cumulative pregnancy rate was 51.00% in the < or = 30 yr group, significantly higher than 13.33% and 25.00% in the > or = 31 yr group (P < 0.05). In the ovulation induction cycles, no significant differences were found in the cycle and cumulative pregnancy rates between the two groups (24.02 and 48.86% versus 23.81 and 43.48% , P > 0.05). The cycle and cumulative pregnancy rates decreased with the increase of infertility duration and the women's age, but had no significant differences. In the first four cycles, the cycle pregnancy rates were 24.03, 24.94, 24.69 and 25.00% (P > 0.05), and the cumulative pregnancy rates were 24.03, 39.53, 45.74 and 46.51%, with significant differences between the first cycle and the other three (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ovulation induction is superior to natural cycle in AID for older women. IVF/ICSI can be resorted to only after AID has failed three or four times.</p>

Observation on osteoblasts responded to fluid induced shear cultured on different surfaces with scanning electron microscope / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate morphological change of osteoblasts cultured on titanium plates with different microarchitecture structure when exposured to fluid shear stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>14 dynes x cm(-2) fluid shear stress was applied on osteoblasts cultured on 3 different commercially pure titanium plates: Polished treatment (PT), sandblast (SB), sandblasting and acid-base (SB-AB) surfaces. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was adopted to observe the morphological changes after 0.5, 4, 7.5 h time point respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Morphologically, no significant changes were observed after 0.5 h and few osteoblasts were seen after 7.5 h on all 3 type of different surfaces, and significant changes could only be observed after 4 h. Osteoblasts were elongated and rearranged along the flow way on different levels on PT surface. Shape of cells was altered, from long fusiform suspending over depressed areas into polygon stretching out many synapsises tightly attached to pits on SB-AB surface. Osteoblasts on SB surface displayed similar change as SB-AB surface, besides, some cells were elongated along the way of flow, stretching out threadlike synapsises attached to edges of pits.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Morphological change of osteoblast responding to fluid shear stress in physiological range depends on substrate microarchitecture and varies with the time of fluid shear stress application.</p>