Effect of "Natural Polypill", Xuezhikang on Serum Cholesterol Metabolism Markers in Early Menopausal Women with Hypercholesterolemia / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of Xuezhikang on the markers of the serum lipid levels of cholesterol synthesis and absorption in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia, and preliminarily explore its lipid-lowering mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled from December, 2014 to May, 2016 from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, who were randomly allocated to receive Xuezhikang (1200 mg/d, orally) or atorvastatin (10 mg/d, orally) according to a random number table. Serum levels of some related biomarkers, including cholesterol synthesis markers (squalene, dihydrocholesterol, dehydrocholesterol, and lathosterol), and absorption markers (campesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol) as well as safety indices were obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks of the intervention.@*RESULTS@#Eight weeks after treatment, both Xuezhikang and atorvastatin significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density cholesterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01). Xuezhikang significantly reduced the levels of squalene, dehydrocholesterol and lathosterol compared to baseline (all P<0.01), but atorvastatin only significantly reduced the level of squalene (P<0.01), compared to baseline. All cholesterol absorption markers showed no significant differences before and after treatment (P>0.05), however, a more obvious downward trend was shown in the Xuezhikang group. In addition, all the safety indices showed no significant differences between the two groups. Although the creatinekinase level in the Xuezhikang group was significantly higher, it remained within the safe range.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Xuezhikang may have more comprehensive effects on the markers of cholesterol synthesis and metabolism in early menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia through ergosterol and flavonoids in its "natural polypill."

Active components and action mechanism of Shenmai Injection in treatment of atrial fibrillation based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the active components and molecular mechanism of Shenmai Injection in the treatment of atrial fibrillation(AF) based on the application of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. The chemical components of single herbs of Shenmai Injection were collected from TCMSP and TCMID, with the standard chemical name and PubChem CID(referred to as CID) obtained from PubChem database. The active components were screened using SwissADME, and their targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. Targets related to AF treatment were identified using GeneCards, OMIM, and other databases. Venn diagram was constructed using Venny 2.1 to obtain the intersection targets. The single herb-active component-potential target network was constructed using Cytoscape, and the clusterProfiler R function package was used to perform the gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of intersection targets was generated based on the STRING database. The hub target protein was identified by visualization using Cytoscape, and then docked to its reverse-selected active components. The analysis showed that there were 65 active components with 681 corresponding targets in Shenmai Injection, 2 798 targets related to AF treatment, and 235 intersection targets involving 2 549 GO functions and 153 KEGG pathways. Finally, hub target proteins, including RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase(AKT1), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha(PIK3 CA), and estrogen receptor 1(ESR1), were screened out by PPI network visualization. The molecular docking was performed for 39 active components screened out in reverse, among which 30 active components de-monstrated high affinity. Among them, homoisoflavanoids CID 10871974, CID 5319742, and CID 10361149 had stronger affinity docking with AKT1. This study preliminarily indicates that Shenmai Injection treats AF through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. Homoisoflavonoids of Ophiopogon japonicus are its important active components, which target AKT1 to regulate metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF treatment.

needling technique for diabetic fundus hemorrhage / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of ' -- needling technique for diabetic fundus hemorrhage.@*METHODS@#With before-after study design, 34 patients with diabetic eyeground hemorrhage were treated with basic treatment (oral administration of antidiabetic medication or insulin injections to ensure blood glucose in the normal range); in addition, acupuncture was given at bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Hegu (LI 4). The ' -- needling technique was applied at Fengchi (GB 20); the heat reinforcing needling technique was applied at Taiyang (EX-HN 5); the slow needle insertion technique was applied at Jingming (BL 1); and the - needling technique was applied at Cuanzhu (BL 2); the neutral supplementation and draining method was applied at remaining acupoints. The acupuncture was given once a day, 6 times as one course, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 1 day between courses. The follow-up visit was 6 months after treatment. The TCM symptom scores, fundus examination results and vision improvement were observed before and after treatment, and the effect was observed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the visual acuity, TCM symptom scores, fundus microaneurysm and hemorrhage points in 34 patients (68 eyes) were significantly improved after treatment (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#' -- needling technique could improve symptoms, promote the absorption of fundus hemorrhage, and improve vision in patients with diabetic fundus hemorrhage.

Role of IL-38 and MIP-2 in pulmonary fibrosis in rats / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective: To investigate the expression of IL-38 and MIP-2 in lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin, and to explore the significance of IL-38 and MIP-2 in pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods: 45 Wistar rats were randomly divided into saline control group ( group N), bleomycin group ( group B) and dexamethasone group ( group D) according to the random and control principle. On the 7 th, 14 th, and 28 th day, 5 rats were killed in each group. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin ( HE) staining in lung tissue. The expression of IL-38 and HYP in lung tissue of rats was measured by enzyme linked immunoassay ( ELISA) and the expression of MIP-2 in lung tissue of rats was measured by RT-PCR method. Results: (1) HE staining showed that the lung tissue from group B and group D developed from normal to inflammatory changes to pulmonary fibrosis. (2) The expression of IL-38 in group B and D decreased gradually, and the decrease was most obvious at 28 th day, which was lower than that in group N ( P＜0. 05), and the expression of IL-38 in group B was lower than that in D group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0. 05). (3) The expression of MIP-2 and HYP increased gradually in group B and D, which were higher than those in group N, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0. 05). The MIP-2 and HYP expressions in group B were higher than those of group D in the same period, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0. 05). Conclusion: IL-38 and MIP-2 play an important role in the occurrence and development of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. The application of dexamethasone can improve the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in rats. The effect may be related to the up-regulation of IL-38 and the downregulation of MIP-2.

Subjective Well-being and Family Functioning among Adolescents Left Behind by Migrating Parents in Jiangxi Province, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

We sought to identify the differences between adolescents left behind in their home villages/towns (LBA) and non-left behind adolescents (NLB) on subjective well-being and family functioning due to parental migration in south China. We used a stratified cluster sampling method to recruit middle school students in a city experiencing population-emigration in Jiangxi Province in 2010. Participants included adolescents from families with: (1) one migrant parent, (2) both parents who migrated, or (3) non-left behind adolescents (i.e., no migrant parent). To determine predictors of subjective well-being, we used structural equation models. Adolescents left behind by both parents (LBB) were less likely to express life satisfaction (P = 0.038) in terms of their environments (P = 0.011) compared with NLB. A parent or parents who migrated predicts lower subjective well-being of adolescents (P = 0.051) and also lower academic performance. Being apart from their parents may affect family functioning negatively from an adolescent's viewpoint. Given the hundreds of millions of persons in China, many who are parents, migrating for work, there may be mental health challenges in some of the adolescents left behind.

Effects of end time of night feeding on the growth and development of infants/toddlers / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of end time of night feeding on body height, body weight, nutritional status, and prevalence rate of dental caries in children at the age of 30 months.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 416 children who were born from January 2014 to September 2015 and had completed a physical examination as required were enrolled. During the physical examination performed at the age of 30 months, the comprehensive child care record and a self-made questionnaire were used. The children who continued to receive night feeding after the age of 6 months were enrolled as study group (n=269), and those for whom night feeding was ended at the age of 6 months were enrolled as control group (n=147). The two groups were compared in terms of body height, body weight, incidence rate of overweight/obesity, and prevalence rate of dental caries at the age of 30 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the study group had a significantly lower body height (92.4±3.0 cm vs 93.3±2.8 cm; P<0.05), a significantly higher incidence rate of overweight/obesity (23.8% vs 12.2%; P<0.05), and a significantly higher prevalence rate of dental caries (14.9% vs 7.5%; P<0.05) at the age of 30 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Night feeding continued after the age of 6 months can affect the growth and development of infants/toddlers, cause overnutrition, and increase the prevalence rate of dental caries.</p>

Safety and efficacy of L-carnitine and tadalafil for late-onset hypogonadism with ED: a randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and effect of L-carnitine combined with tadalafil in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) with erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 140 cases of LOH with ED aged 40 -70 years into a treatment and a control group to receive L-carnitine + tadalafil and testosterone undecanoate + tadalafil, respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, we obtained the scores on IIEF-5 and Aging Male Symptoms (AMS), observed changes in the levels of sex hormones, analyzed the results of the routine blood test and PSA level, and evaluated the safety of medication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Finally, 110 cases were included, 60 in the treatment group and 50 in the control. After 8 weeks of medication, the IIEF-5 and AMS scores were significantly improved as compared with the baseline both in the treatment group (17.7 +/- 3.5 vs 10.2 +/- 2.7 and 36.2 +/- 6.5 vs 48.8 +/- 5.8) and in the control group (16.7 +/- 2.6 vs 9.3 +/- 2.4 and 35.8 +/- 6.6 vs 50.7 +/- 5.0) (both P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). As for the safety of medication, there were no significant differences between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Two patients in the control group showed a PSA level > 4 microg/L, which was confirmed to be caused by prostatitis during follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>L-carnitine combined with tadalafil is safe and effective for the treatment of LOH with ED.</p>

On-demand versus on-time dosing of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: a prospective multi-center study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tadalafil on demand and on time in men with erectile dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a multi-centered randomized controlled study on 120 ED males, who were assigned to take tadalafil at 10 mg/ 20 mg on demand before sexual activity and at the same dose on time twice a week for 8 weeks. Before and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, and 1 month after withdrawal, we obtained the scores on IIEF-5, ED Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) and the short form of Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (SF-PAIRS) , and compared the safety and efficacy of medication between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 110 patients accomplished the trial, 56 in the on-time and 54 in the on-demand group. At 4 and 8 weeks of medication and 1 month after withdrawal, the IIEF-5 scores were improved in both the on-time and on-demand groups, even more significantly in the former than in the latter at 8 weeks of treatment (21.6 +/- 2.9 vs 18.5 +/- 1.7) and 1 month after withdrawal (20.9 +/- 2.1 vs 17.9 +/- 2.3) (P < 0.05). The EDITS scores were significantly higher in the on-time than in the on-demand group at 8 weeks of treatment (31.7 +/- 6.9 vs 28.6 +/- 5.8) and 1 month after withdrawal (30.6 +/- 4.7 vs 27.9 +/- 6.5) (P < 0.05). The scores on the sexual self-confidence, spontaneity and time-concern domains of SF-PAIRS were remarkably improved after medication as compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the on-time than in the on-demand group at 1 month after withdrawal. Both dosing schedules were well tolerated and no significant differences were observed in safety between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On-time dosing of tadalafil is efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of ED, and has an even better effect than on-demand dosing at 8 weeks of medication and 1 month after withdrawal.</p>

Vacuum therapy for erectile dysfunction that fails to respond to PDE-5i: report of 70 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the efficacy and safety of the Osbon ErecAid Vacuum Therapy System in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) that fails to respond to PDE-5i.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 70 cases of ED not responding to the medication of PDE-5i. The patients were aged 25 -66 (38.9 +/- 9.1) years. Under our direction, the patients used the Osbon ErecAid Vacuum Therapy System for a month to increase blood oxygenation to the corpora cavernosa, and then employed the vacuum constriction device (VCD) to maintain penile erection for sexual intercourse. We compared their IIEF-5 scores and their and their partners' sexual satisfaction before and 3 months after treatment, and evaluated the safety and effect of the vacuum therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean IIEF-5 scores of the patients were significantly increased from 10.2 +/- 4.0 before treatment to 13.3 +/- 4.7 at 3 months after the vacuum therapy (P < 0.05). The rate of therapeutic effectiveness was 77.1% (54/70), and the rates of sexual satisfaction of the patients and their partners were 64.3% (45/70) and 65.7% (46/70),</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vacuum therapy for ED that does not respond to PDE-5i can significantly improve the patients' erectile function as well as their and their partners'sexual satisfaction, and therefore deserves clinical application.</p>

Treatment of varicocele infertility men patients of different Chinese medical syndrome types by integrative medicine treatment selection: a primary research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the optimal treatment selection for treating varicocele (VC) male infertility patients accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia of different Chinese medical syndrome types by comparing the efficacies of integrative medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty male infertility patients with VC accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia were assigned to Chinese medical treatment group (A) and the surgical group (B), each consisting of three Chinese medical syndrome types, i.e., damp-heat stagnation syndrome (DHSS), Shen-deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS), and blood stasis stagnation syndrome (BSSS), 20 in each group. Corresponding Chinese medical treatment was administered to those in Group A, C, and E, while microscopic ligation of internal vena spermatic was administered to those in Group B, D, and F. The routine analysis of semen, biochemical analysis of seminal plasma, and serum sex hormones (prolactin, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol) were performed before treatment and by the end of the 24th week after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 18 patients' spouses were pregnant. Of them, 1 in Group A of DHSS (abbreviated as Group A), 3 in Group B of DHSS (abbreviated as Group B), 4 in Group A of SDB-SS (abbreviated as Group C), 5 in Group A of SDBSS (abbreviated as Group D), 1 in Group A of BSSS (abbreviated as Group E), and 4 in Group B of BSSS (abbreviated as Group F). After 24-week treatment, the sperm concentration, class a sperm percentage, class a + b sperm percentage, the motility rate, the seminal plasma of fructose density, and the seminal plasma neutral alpha-glucosidase were more significantly improved in Group B, C, D and F, when compared with the same group before treatment (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the aforesaid indices between before and after treatment in Group A and Group E (P >0.05). As for the improvement percentage of seminal routine indices, the difference of the seminal plasma of fructose density, and the difference of seminal plasma neutral alpha-glucosidase between before and after treatment in the same Chinese medical syndrome types, better effects were obtained in Group B than in Group A (P <0.01), and better effects were obtained in Group F than in Group E (P <0.01). There was no statistical difference between Group C and D (P >0.05). There was no statistical difference in the 5 items of sex hormones in each group between before and after treatment (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical treatment could effectively improve the semen quality for male infertility VC patients accompanied with oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Of them, Chinese medical treatment could be recommended to those of SDBSS who would not receive surgical treatment.</p>

Sexual function inspection room for special penile insertion disorder / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the role of the sexual function inspection room in the treatment of patients with special penile insertion disorder.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 6 couples received at the Andrology Clinic of Shanghai Renji Hospital from September, 2010 to February, 2011, who complained of being unable to accomplish sexual intercourse, all due to the husbands' abnormal penile erection. The couples had tried to make love 3 to 6 times after getting married, but never succeeded. Consequently the wives were planning to divorce, unwilling to attempt sexual activity again. We performed examinations and sexual education for the patients in the sexual function inspection room of Shanghai Institute of Andrology. The inspection room consisted of an inner and an outer section separated by a one-way transparent glass, through which what happened in the outer section could be observed from the inner section. The husband was given 20 mg of tadalafil to induce penile erection, followed by Doppler ultrasonographic determination of penile hemodynamics. Meanwhile, the wife was allowed to observe her husband's penile erection through the glass to get sensory stimuli and relieve the mental burden. In the end, the doctor advised the couple to try sexual intercourse.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In nature, the 6 wives were all impatient, while their husbands were all introverted. Doppler ultrasonography displayed normal penile hemodynamics. After sensory stimulation, the wives gained confidence in their husbands' erectile function. A one month follow-up visit showed that all the 6 couples could perform sexual intercourse normally.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This sexual function inspection room can help doctors and wives to observe the status of the patient's penile erection, and meanwhile disburden the mind of the wives by giving them sensory stimuli, which contributes much to successful attempt at sexual intercourse.</p>

Leptin level in azoospermic patients and its clinical value / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the levels of seminal plasma leptin (SPL) and serum leptin (SL) in patients with azoospermia, and to explore the methods of using SPL and SL alone or the combination of SPL, SL and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) for the differential diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We enrolled in this study 45 patients with diagnosed OA, 41 with unexplained NOA and 30 men with normal semen parameters as controls. The azoospermia patients underwent percutaneous aspiration from the epididymis (PESA) or aspiration/extraction from the testis (TESA/TESE), and all the subjects were detected for the levels of serum FSH, SPL and SL. Individual and multiple indexes were evaluated by Fisher's discriminant analysis combined with ROC curve analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences in the body mass index (BMI) among the three groups. Compared with the normal control, the OA patients showed an obviously elevated level of SPL (P = 0.048), and the NOA patients remarkably increased levels of FSH (P = 0.000), SL (P = 0.000) and SPL (P = 0.000). In comparison with the OA group, the levels of FSH (P = 0.000), SL (P = 0.006) and SPL (P = 0.033) were significantly increased in the NOA group. For the differential diagnosis of OA and NOA, the areas under the ROC curve of SPL and SL were 0.658 (P = 0.014) and 0.702 (P = 0.002) , respectively, both significantly greater than 0.5, while that of the combination of SPL, SL and FSH was the greatest (0.953). In addition, with 0.026 x SPL +0.05 x SL +0.106 x FSH -2.197 as the combined indicator value and -0.289 as the cut-off value (> or = cut-off value for NOA), the sensitivity and specificity of the combination were 0.878 and 0.902, respectively, both reached the maximum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the levels of SPL and SL are valuable for the differential diagnosis of OA and NOA, but the joint consideration of SPL, SL and FSH may provide better indicators.</p>

Association between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular events in middle-to-old-aged Chinese population / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective This study aimed to determine the relationships between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cardiovascular events. Methods 2500 residents aged more than 40 years old were selected from Shougang community, Shijingshan district, in Beijing. 2315 of them took part in the survey. First morning urinary sample was collected for all the participants.Albumin and creatinine were measured and eGFR was calculated using simplified MDAD formula.Cardiovascular risk factors were also investigated. The participants were followed up for 4 years, and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events were collected. The subjects were divided into three groups according to eGFR[ml/(min·1.73 m2)]: ＜60, 60-90,＞90.Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationships between eGFR, all events, and cardiovascular events after adjusting for confounders. Results The prevalence of eGFR ＜60 was 3.3%. The incidence rates of cardiovascular events were 43.9, 21.8 and 11.5/1000 person-years among three groups, and the incidence rates of all events (all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events) were 53.7, 28.8 and 14.6/1000 person-years,respectively. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, serum lipids, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, the hazard risk (HR) for cardiovascular events was 1.29 (95%CI:0.85-1.96) in eGFR＜60 group and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.02-4.50) in 60≤eGFR＜90 group, when compared with the eGFR＞90 group; the HR for all events were 1.25 (95%CI: 0.86-1.81 ) and 1.95(95% CI: 1.00-3.80) , respectively. Conclusion In the population studied, eGFR＜60 seemed an independent predictor for cardiovascular events and all-cause events.

Use of amniocytes for prenatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome: a feasibility study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A study of prenatal genetic diagnosis for 22q11.2 microdeletion, which has a wide phenotypic spectrum that involves almost all organs, is rarely reported in China. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of 22q11.2 microdeletion in congenitally malformed fetuses via the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique and to investigate the feasibility of use of amniocytes to diagnose 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome prenatally.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study enrolled 23 cases of fetal cardiac malformation, as indicated by ultrasound in Beijing Anzhen Hospital and 14 cases of non-cardiac malformation, as determined by type-B ultrasound in Beijing Anzhen Hospital and other hospitals. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis before odinopoeia, and the stillborn fetuses of the induced labor were preceded to autopsy. The amniotic fluid of 20 cesarean deliveries during the same period of time was used as a control. The TUPLE1 gene in the amniotic fluid of malformed and normal fetuses was assessed by the FISH method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rates of the TUPLE1 gene deletion in the amniotic fluid cells from fetuses with cardiac deformations and fetuses without such malformations were 43.5% and 57.1%, respectively. The deletion of TUPLE1 was significantly associated with fetal malformation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion is one of the major factors leading to fetal congenital malformations, and prenatal FISH screening for 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is technically feasible using amniocytes.</p>

Detection and correlation analysis of sperm apoptosis rate and level of reactive oxygen species in seminal plasma among infertile males / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To detect the sperm apoptosis rate and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in seminal plasma and explore their correlation among infertile males. Methods Ninety-two inferitile males were divided into varicocele (VC) group (n=32), leukocytospermia group(n=30) and the other cause group (n=30), and another 24 in vitro fertilization sperm samples were sereved as controls. The routine sperm parameters including seminal pH, sperm viability and sperm density were examined by computer assisted sperm analysis, the sperm apoptosis rate was asseseed using Annexin V/PI staining, and the ROS level in seminal plasma was detected by TBA method. The differences in seminal parameters between three infertile groups and control group were compared, and the correlation of sperm apoptosis rate with level of ROS in seminal plasma was explored in each group. Results The sperm viability of three infertile groups was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01). The sperm apoptosis rates and levels of ROS in seminal plasma in VC group and leukocytospermia group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The sperm apoptosis rate was positively correlated with the level of ROS in seminal plasma in leukocytospermia group(r=0. 573, P < 0.05). Conclusion The increased sperm apoptosis rate and level of seminal plasma ROS may be related to the infertility of patients with VC and leukocytospermia. The increased level of seminal plasma ROS may be one of the causes of increased sperm apoptosis rate in patients with leukocytospermia.

Jinleng method is effective and safe for the treatment of oligospermia and asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The Jinleng method is based on the principle of lowered temperature and diathermic action on the testis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect and safety of the Jinleng method on oligospermia and asthenospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We treated 39 infertile males with oligospermia or asthenospermia with Jinleng underpants (Jinleng method) bid for 3 months, observed the changes in the sperm parameters of the patients after the treatment and recorded the pregnancy outcomes of their wives.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 36 patients who accomplished the treatment, 31 showed significantly improvement in semen volume, sperm concentration, forward sperm motility, total sperm motility, total sperm count and total motile sperm count (P < 0.05), with an effectiveness rate of 86.1%. Five of the patients wives achieved pregnancy in the 2-month follow-up. Adverse effects were found in none of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jinleng method is effective and safe for the treatment of infertile males with oligospermia and asthenospermia.</p>

Sexual and reproductive health service needs of university/college students: updates from a survey in Shanghai, China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2004 to May 2006, 5 243 students from 14 universities in Shanghai took part in our survey. Topics covered the demands of reproductive health-care services, attitudes towards and experience with sex, exposure to pornographic material, and knowledge on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/AIDS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 5 067 students who provided valid answer sheets, 50.05% were female and 49.95% were male, 14.86% were medical students, and 85.14% had non-medical backgrounds. A total of 38.4% of respondents had received reproductive health education previously. The majority of students supported school-based reproductive health education, and also acquired information about sex predominantly from books, schoolmates, and the Internet. Premarital sexual behavior was opposed by 17.7% of survey participants, and 37.5% could identify all the three types of STIs listed in the questionnaire. Although 83.7% knew how HIV is transmitted, only 55.7% knew when to use a condom and 57.8% knew that the use of condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The reproductive health service is lagging behind current attitudes and demands of university students. Although students' attitudes towards sexual matters are liberal, their knowledge about reproductive health and STIs/AIDS is still limited. It is therefore necessary to provide effective and confidential reproductive health services to young people.</p>

Expression of OCTN2 mRNA in the human epididymis and its significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of L-Carnitine transport and the expression of OCTN2 mRNA in the human epididymis so as to provide a theoretical basis for male contraception.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected specimens from human epididymides and determined the expressions of OCTN2 mRNA in the caput, corpus and cauda of the epididymis by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OCTN2 mRNA was expressed in the caput, corpus and cauda of the epididymis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The human epididymis may rely on OCTN2 for transporting L-Carnitine into the epididymal duct to promote sperm maturation. With the accumulation of information on OCTN2 in the human epididymis, OCTN2 will become a new molecular target for researches on male contraception.</p>

The feeder layer of human embryonic fibroblasts supports the growth of human spermatogonial stem cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the methods and conditions for the isolation, purification and culture of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) on the feeder layer cells of human embryonic fibroblasts (hEFs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SSCs isolated and purified from normal human fetal testicular tissues by sequential two-step enzyme digestion and Percoll uncontinuous density gradient centrifugation were cultured on the feeder layer cells of hEFs isolated from 5-9 weeks old human embryos. The surface markers SSEA-1 and OCT4 of the SSCs were detected by immunohistochemistry; the alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity of the SSC clones measured; and the expressions of the SSC-related genes determined by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SSCs survived, proliferated and formed colonies on the feeder layers, and the colonies were highly positive for SSEA-1 and OCT4, with strong AKP activity and high expressions of the SSC-related genes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The feeder layer of hEFs supports the growth of human spermatogonial stem cells.</p>

IIEF-5 cannot be used as a tool for differential diagnosis of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) as a method to differentiate the causes of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In all, 103 ED patients (mean age 46.8 +/- 18.7) were reviewed by IIEF-5. Penile blood flow was also assessed in each patient after an intracavernosal injection (ICI) and audio-visual sex stimulation by duplex Doppler ultrasonography. The 99mTc-(113m)In dual radioisotope test was performed to confirm specific vascular causes in the vasculogenic ED cases. Kruskal-Wallis TEST was employed to compare the scores of IIEF-5 with the results of ICI, duplex Doppler ultrasonography and the 99mTC-(113m)In dual radioisotope test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the total number of ED cases, 37 (37/103, 35.9%) were nonvasculogenic, 18 (18/103, 17.5%) arteriogenic, 35 (35/103, 34.0%) venogenic and 13 (13/103, 12.6%) combined vasculogenic. There was no significant difference in the IIEF-5 scores either between the vasculogenic group and the non-vasculogenic one (P = 0.253) or among different groups of the vasculogenic ED patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IIEF-5 cannot be used as a tool for differential diagnosis of vasculogenic ED, or to compare its specific vascular causes, nor can the scores of IIEF-5 reflect penile vascular conditions.</p>