XRCC1 polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis.

X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1) plays a key role in DNA repair, genetic instability and tumorigenesis. A series of epidemiological studies have examined associations between XRCC1 polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk, but the findings remain inconclusive. We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CNKI) for studies on the association between XRCC1 polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk published before June 2013. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated to estimate risk associations. A total of 28 case-control studies from 15 publications with 5,890 cervical cancer cases and 7,626 controls were identified. There was a significant association between rs25487 and cervical cancer risk in Asian populations (Dominant model: OR = 1.25, 95 % CI =1.04-1.50, P = 0.051 for heterogeneity test). After excluding three studies deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we observed a significant association of rs1799782 with cervical cancer risk in all populations and in Asian populations (Recessive model: OR = 1.62 and 1.72, 95 % CI = 1.22-2.14 and 1.29-2.30, P = 0.090 and 0.266 for heterogeneity test, respectively). However, there was no significant association between rs25489 and cervical cancer risk. These findings were further confirmed by false-positive report probability analysis. No publication bias was found by using the funnel plot and Egger's test. This meta-analysis provides strongly statistical evidence for the association between rs1799782 and cervical cancer risk, as well as its association with rs25487 only in Asian populations. However, single large, well-designed prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

[Impact of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome on sperm DNA fragmentation and nucleoprotein transition].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) on sperm DNA fragmentation and nucleoprotein transition. METHODS: Based on the recommended methods in the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th ed), we conducted routine semen analysis for 65 CP/CPPS patients and 30 healthy men. We also analyzed the results of papanicolaou staining, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm nucleoprotein transition. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control males, the CP/CPPS patients showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([134.05 +/- 99.80] vs [94.75 +/- 92.07]) x 10(6)/ml, P <0.05), the percentage of morphologically normal sperm ([7.26 +/- 2.28] vs [5.61 +/- 3.40]%, P <0.05) and sperm progressive motility ([59.18 +/- 16.06] vs [47.68 +/- 17.62]%, P<0.05), but dramatic increases in sperm DNA fragmentation ([22.92 +/- 11.51] vs [43.58 +/- 17.07%, P<0.01) and sperm nucleoprotein transition ([23.26 +/- 5.97] vs [32.14 +/- 8.79]%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: CP/CPPS significantly reduces sperm quality and male fertility.

[Effects of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on mitochondria copy number and functions in murine oocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of whether controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, mitochondrial function, distribution, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oocytes and the mechanism of oocyte loss in COH. METHODS: Matured murine oocytes were classified into COH group and natural cycles (NC) group. The copies of mtDNA, the magnitude of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δφm) and oocyte adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, pattern of mitochondrial distribution, and ROS levels were evaluated by realtime PCR, immunofluorescence and fluorescence-luciferase mensuration. RESULTS: The copies of mtDNA, the levels of Δφm, and ATP content in oocytes between COH and NC groups showed statistical difference [(1.15 ± 0.01)×10(5), 0.34 ± 0.03 and (241 ± 20) fmol/oocyte (COH)] versus [(2.15 ± 0.19)×10(5), 0.82 ± 0.07 and (325 ± 11) fmol/oocyte (NC)], respectively(P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the rate of evenly distributed mitochondria and the level of ROS in oocytes from COH and NC [(76.5% (78/102) in COH versus 82.1% (69/84)]; 1.07 ± 0.07 in COH versus 0.93 ± 0.08 in NC (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was indicated that non-physiological COH treatments inhibit mtDNA replication, alter mitochondrial function, which might partly be involved in the low development potential of COH oocyte.

[The pathological effects of snoring on pregnant women].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the pathological effect of snoring on pregnant women in Wenzhou area. METHODS: The study was performed between January 2006 and February 2008, 601 women with pregnancies being in clinic or the ward were surveyed about snoring occur, measuring physiological and biochemical parameters in the 13th, 28th week of pregnancy and before delivery, recording the complication and pregnancy outcome. According to their pregnancy and snoring occur, they were divided into the first, the second and the third trimester snoring group and non-snoring group. RESULT: Compared with the non-snoring group, The BMI, abdominal perimeter, the neck circumference and systolic blood pressure in snoring group of every trimester increased significantly (P<0.05). There were no significant differences about the hip circumference of snoring group in the first trimester (P>0.05), but they increased significantly in the second and the third trimester (P<0.05). There were no significant differences about the diastolic blood pressure of snoring group in the first and the second trimester (P>0.05), but they increased significantly in the third trimester (P<0.05). There were no significant differences about the snoring group's BMI, abdominal perimeter, the neck circumference, the hip circumference and blood pressure between the groups of every trimester (P>0.05). Compared with the non-snoring group, the incidence of snoring group's gestational hypertension, premature birth and abdominal delivery increased significantly every trimester of pregnancy (P<0.05). There were no significant differences Between the snoring groups of every trimester (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The snore makes pregnant women physiological characteristics changed, the incidence of gestational hypertension, premature delivery and abdominal delivery increased. So we should pay more attentions to them in their perinatal stage.

[Calmodulin antagonists are involved in mouse sperm capacitation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible involvement of calmodulin in mouse sperm capacitation. METHODS: Calmodulin antagonists W7 at the concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 micromol/L and calmidazolium (CZ) at the concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 micromol/ L, were coincubated with mouse sperm for 2 hours, respectively. The percentage of pattern B sperm was measured by chlorotetracycline staining. Then the sperm were coincubated with 100 micromol/L W7 or 10 micromol/L calmidazolium (CZ) before acrosome reaction was induced by 5 micromol/L progesterone and evaluated by the same method. RESULTS: After the treatment of the sperm with different concentrations of CZ or W7, the percentages of pattern B sperm decreased in a dose-dependent manner, significantly different from the control (P < 0.05). There was a statistic difference in the rate of acrosome reaction between the experiment and the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Calmodulin is a key protein involved in mouse sperm capacitation.

[Study of the mechanism of mast cell increase in cellular leiomyoma of uterus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of mast cell increase in cellular leiomyoma of uterus. METHODS: Tissue sections from 30 cases of cellular leiomyoma of uterus, 15 cases of leiomyosarcoma and 30 cases of ordinary leiomyoma were studied using immunohistochemical double labeling techniques. The expression of mast cell tryptase and Ki-67 as well as mast cell tryptase and chemotactic factors RANTES, Eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were double immunostained. RESULTS: Ki-67 in mast cells was rarely expressed in each group. Expressions of regulate upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), Eotaxin and TGF -beta in cellular leiomyoma were 78%, 89%, 91%, respectively. They were all higher than those in ordinary leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma (P < 0.01), which were 60%, 81%, 86% and 39%, 44%, 59%, respectively. There were positive correlations between RANTES and the number of mast cells (r = 0.655, P < 0.01) as well as between Eotaxin and the number of mast cells (r = 0.543, P < 0.01). However, expression of MCP-1 was not observed in tumor cells in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cell increase in cellular leiomyoma of the uterus is due to local recruitment of mast cells. RANTES and Eotaxin secreted by smooth muscle tumor cells correlates with the recruitment of mast cells, but MCP-1 and TGF-beta do not.

[Conservative surgery combined with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in treatment of moderate or severe endometriosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency and side-effects of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of moderate or severe endometriosis after conservative surgery. METHODS: Ninety-four women with moderate or severe endometriosis after conservative surgery were divided into three groups: 34 cases in the group of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) received intramuscularly depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg every 28 - 30 days for 6 months; 30 cases in the group of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) received hypodermically leuprorelin acetate 3.75 mg every 28 - 30 days for 6 months; 30 cases in the group of control did not receive any postoperative medical treatment. Patients' symptoms and signs including pelvic pain, pelvic tenderness, menstrual and weight changes were recorded before and after treatment. Liver and renal functions, sex hormone level were also examined at the same time. RESULTS: Both DMPA and GnRH-a treatment achieved similar significant relief of pelvic symptoms and signs (88% and 93%) compared with the control group (chi(2) = 12.273, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 9.604, P < 0.01). The cumulative recurrence rates of DMPA and GnRH-a groups were 6% and 7%, significantly lower than that of the control group (chi(2) = 5.222, P < 0.05; chi(2) = 4.320, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between DMPA and GnRH-a groups (chi(2) = 0.488, P > 0.05; chi(2) = 0.017, P > 0.05). Serum estradiol (E(2)) level was significantly reduced in both DMPA and GnRH-a groups, but serum E(2) was maintained at the level of early follicular phase in the group of DMPA (120 +/- 9) pmol/L and menopause phase level in the group of GnRH-a (62 +/- 9) pmol/L. The main side effects of DMPA were menstrual changes, weight gain and delay of ovulation. CONCLUSION: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate seems to be an effective, safe, and convenient treatment for endometriosis with low-cost, good compliance, and few side effects.