Polymerase chain reaction-based assays facilitate the breeding and study of mouse models of Klinefelter syndrome / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is one of the most frequent genetic abnormalities and the leading genetic cause of nonobstructive azoospermia. The breeding and study of KS mouse models are essential to advancing our knowledge of the underlying pathological mechanism. Karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization are reliable methods for identifying chromosomal contents. However, technical issues associated with these methods can decrease the efficiency of breeding KS mouse models and limit studies that require rapid identification of target mice. To overcome these limitations, we developed three polymerase chain reaction-based assays to measure specific genetic information, including presence or absence of the sex determining region of chromosome Y (Sry), copy number of amelogenin, X-linked (Amelx), and inactive X specific transcripts (Xist) levels. Through a combined analysis of the assay results, we can infer the karyotype of target mice. We confirmed the utility of our assays with the successful generation of KS mouse models. Our assays are rapid, inexpensive, high capacity, easy to perform, and only require small sample amounts. Therefore, they facilitate the breeding and study of KS mouse models and help advance our knowledge of the pathological mechanism underlying KS.

MicroRNA-629-5p promotes osteosarcoma proliferation and migration by targeting caveolin 1

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor that occurs in the bone. Previous studies have shown that multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the development of osteosarcoma. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-629-5p and its target gene, caveolin 1 (CAV1), in osteosarcoma development. To analyze the expression of miR-629-5p and CAV1 mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, qRT-PCR analysis was performed. Dual-luciferase reporter experiments were subsequently performed to validate the relationship between CAV1 and miR-629-5p. CCK8 assay was used to measure osteosarcoma cell proliferation, and wound-healing assay was performed to study their migratory phenotype. Our findings revealed that miR-629-5p was overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and thereby enhanced cell proliferation and migration. Further, we validated that miR-629-5p targets CAV1 mRNA directly. CAV1 expression, which was negatively correlated with miR-629-5p expression, was found to be downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue samples. Moreover, our data showed that an increase in CAV1 level led to a decline in osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration, which could be rescued by miR-629-5p upregulation. Overall, our study confirmed that miR-629-5p promoted osteosarcoma proliferation and migration by directly inhibiting CAV1.

Association between 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio and metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the association between 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Chinese adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Chinese adults aged 18-69 years in Shandong province in 2011. Data on 24 h urinary excretion of sodium and potassium and components of MS were examined. Participants were divided into four groups according to the quartile of 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 1 906 Chinese adults eligible for final data analysis, 471 (24.7%) were with MS. After completion of multivariate logistic regression analysis, when compared to the participants with 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio < 4.3, the OR (95% CI) of participants with 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio during 4.3-5.6, 5.7-8.1, and ≥ 8.1 were 1.27 (0.93-1.71), 1.06 (0.78-1.46), and 1.45 (1.06-1.97), respectively (P values for linear trend < 0.05). As for the components of MS, the odds of central obesity and elevated blood pressure but not the odds of elevated triglycerides, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated fasting glucose, had significantly increases with successive 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio quartiles (P values for linear trends < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 24 h urinary sodium to potassium ratio appeared significantly associated with the odds of MS.</p>

Sero-conversion of HIV sero-negative partners among discordant couples in a city of Henan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the overall HIV sero-conversion rate and its trend and risk factors of uninfected partners in sero-discordant couples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 3088 uninfected partners, whose HIV positive partners infected via former plasma donation or blood transfusion from July, 2006 to December 2010, were chosen as a fix cohort. They were tested for HIV antibodies twice a year using ELISA by local CDC from July, 2006 to December, 2010. Data regarding demographic, sexual behavior information of uninfected partners and infection, serologic characteristics of positive partners were retrospectively surveyed and collected to analyze possible risky factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 132 in 3088 uninfected partners were sero-converted, with a sero-conversion rate of 1.17/100 person years (95%CI: 0.99/100 person years -1.39/100 person years). Sero-conversion rate reached the peak (0.82%) in the following interval of January and June in 2008 and have a bottom conversion rate (0.13%) in the same month interval in 2010. Conversion rate outcome showed a downward trend in following(χ(2)trend = 8.907, P < 0.05). In the survey, 56.6% (1513/2673) uninfected partners were males, 56.2% (1501/2673) were with lower education level. Among uninfected partners, as reported by themselves, having sex in recently 6 months accounted for a proportion of 81.4% (2176/2673), sex frequency of less than 4 times per month accounted for 45.7% (1169/2558) and consistent using of condom accounted for 94.5% (2418/2558). The proportion of the index partners' most recently CD4 cell count less than 200 cells per µl was 17.4% (437/2505). Results from multivariate of Cox regression showed that male negative partners (RR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.02 - 2.43), negative partners with lower education level(RR = 2.77, 95%CI: 1.68 - 4.57), having sexual activity in latest one year(RR = 4.39, 95%CI: 1.53 - 12.56) and CD4 count less than 200 cells per µl (RR = 2.36, 95%CI: 1.42 - 3.93) were associated with increased risk of HIV sero-conversion, while intercourse frequency less than 4 times per month(RR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.10 - 0.32), consistent using of condom(RR = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.05 - 0.12) decreased the risk of conversion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In this city, the conversion rate of negative partners whose positive partner infected via former plasma donation or blood transfusion is relatively low and behave a downward trend. Serologic surveillance, education and intervention based on couple are needed to be enhanced.</p>

Study on the quality of life and its influential factors among HIV positive population / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the quality of life and its influential factors among HIV positive population. Methods Quality of life was evaluated among 2608 HIV positive population by WHOQOL (Chinese Version) to calculate the total and four domains' scores of quality of life. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the factors and the scores of the four domains and the total score of quality of life. Results Physical,psychological,social,environmental and the total scores of the HIV positive population were 12.96±1.94,11.79± 1.19,13.79±2.44,12.40±1.93 and 51.02±6.03,respectively. Females had a higher scores than males in the four domains and the total score of quality of life. Through a multiple linear regression model,we found that the influential factors would include gender,age,occupation,family conflict and appetite etc. Conclusion People living with HIV had higher scores in social domain,but lower scores in psychological domain,suggesting that psychological intervention should he strengthened.