Severe male factor in in vitro fertilization:definition,prevalence,and treatment.An update

Infertility affects 10%–15%of couples worldwide.Of all infertility cases,20%–70%are due to male factors.In the past,men with severe male factor(SMF)were considered sterile.Nevertheless,the development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)drastically modified this scenario.The advances in assisted reproductive technology(ART),specifically regarding surgical sperm retrieval procedures,allowed the efficacious treatment of these conditions.Yet,before undergoing ICSI,male factor infertility requires careful evaluation of clinical and lifestyle behavior together with medical treatment.Epidemiologically speaking,women whose male partner is azoospermic tend to be younger and with a better ovarian reserve.These couples,in fact,are proposed ART earlier in their life,and for this reason,their ovarian response after stimulation is generally good.Furthermore,in younger couples,azoospermia can be partially compensated by the efficient ovarian response,resulting in an acceptable fertility rate following in vitro fertilization(IVF)techniques.Conversely,when azoospermia is associated with a reduced ovarian reserve and/or advanced maternal age,the treatment becomes more challenging,with a consequent reduction in IVF outcomes.Nonetheless,azoospermia seems to impair neither the euploidy rate at the blastocyst stage nor the implantation of euploid blastocysts.Based on the current knowledge,the assessment of male infertility factors should involve:(1)evaluation–to diagnose and quantify seminologic alterations;(2)potentiality–to determine the real possibilities to improve sperm parameters and/or retrieve spermatozoa;(3)time–to consider the available“treatment window”,based on maternal age and ovarian reserve.This review represents an update of the definition,prevalence,causes,and treatment of SMF in a modern ART clinic.

Male infertility: risk factors in Mongolian men

Aim: To determine the most common risk factors of male infertility in Mongolian men attending an infertility clinic. Methods: A prospective, case-control study was conducted in which 430 men were enrolled. All the men had sought their first infertility evaluation between 1998-2002 in the State Research Center on Maternal Child Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. They were divided into two groups depending on the results of their semen analysis: 191 with abnormal semen and 239 with normal semen profile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine any association between risk factors and semen abnormality. Results: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the testicular volume, a history of sexually transmitted infections (STI), epididymitis and testicular damage all have statistically significant associations with semen abnormality, when controlled for multiple risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios of 3.4 for mumps orchitis, 2.3 for other orchitis and 3.9 for testicular injury were found. Gonorrhoea, the most commonly reported STIs in this study, gave an adjusted odds ratio of 1.0 for having one or more sperm abnormality. An adjusted odds ratio for subjects with a history of other STIs was 2.7. However, as a predictor of azoospermia, STIs had very high odds ratio, being 5.6 in patients with gonorrhoea and 7.6 in patients with other STIs. Conclusion: A history of pathology involving testicular damage appeared to have the strongest impact on male infertility in Mongolia. STIs have less impact on semen quality except when complicated by orchitis, epididymitis and vasal obstruction.

Responses of serum inflammatory factor high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in elderly males with cerebral infarction Non-randomized concurrent control

BACKGROUND： Cerebral infarction is poorly treated due to neuronal necrosis and secondary pathophysiological changes; for example, free radical production and inflammatory reactions. OBJECTIVE： To detect the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor- a （TNF- α ） in elderly males with cerebral infarction. DESIGN： Non-randomized current control study. SETTING： Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： Forty elderly males （65-89 years old） with cerebral infarction were selected from Cadre Medical Department, Guizhou Provincial People＇s Hospital from February 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of cerebral infarction modified at the 4th National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting, and were diagnosed on the basis of CT or MRI tests. Furthermore, 35 elderly male inpatients （65-87 years old） without cerebral infarction were selected as the control group. Included subjects provided confirmed consent and did not have heart disease, diabetes mellitus, lipid disorder, acute trauma, infection, rheumatism, or other inflammatory diseases. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. There were no significant differences in age, blood pressure, and lipid levels between the cerebral infarction group and the control group （P 〉 0.05）, and this suggested that the baseline data of both groups were comparable. METHODS： Fasting venous blood was drawn from cerebral infarction patients 24 hours after cerebral infarction attack and from control subjects 24 hours after hospitalization. A latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF- α in the serum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The levels of hs-CRP, 1L-6, and TNF- α in the serum in both groups. RESULTS： Forty cerebral infarction patients and thirty-five control subjects were included in the final analysis without any loss. Levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Levels of serum inflammatory reactive factors are increased in elderly males with cerebral infarction.

Central Venous Catheter-related Thrombosis in Senile Male Patients: New Risk Factors and Predictors

Central venous catheterization（CVC）-related venous thrombosis is a common but serious clinical complication, thus prevention and treatment on this problem should be extensively investigated. In this research, we aimed to investigate the incidence rate of CVC-related venous thrombosis in senile patients and give a further discussion on the related risk factors and predictors. A total of 324 hospitalized senile male patients subjected to CVC were selected. Retrospective investigation and analysis were conducted on age, underlying diseases, clinical medications, catheterization position and side, catheter retention time, and incidence of CVC-related venous thrombosis complications. Basic laboratory test results during catheterization and thrombogenesis were also collected and analyzed. Among the 324 patients, 20 cases（6.17%） of CVC-related venous thrombosis were diagnoseds. The incidence rate of CVC-related venous thrombosis in subclavian vein catheterization was significantly lower than that in femoral vein catheterization（P〈0.01） and that in internal jugular vein catheterization（P〈0.05）. No statistically significant difference was found between femoral vein catheterization and internal jugular vein catheterization（P〉0.05）. Previous venous thrombosis history（P〈0.01）, high lactate dehydrogenase level（P〈0.01）, low high-density lipoprotein（HDL） level（P〈0.05）, and low albumin level（P〈0.05） were found as risk factors or predictors of CVC-related venous thrombosis in senile male patients. Subclavian vein catheterization was the most appropriate choice among senile patients to decrease the incidence of CVC-related venous thrombosis. Previous venous thrombosis history, high lactate dehydrogenase level, low HDL level, and low albumin level were important risk factors in predicting CVC-related venous thrombosis.

The relationship between DNA fragmentation and the intensity of morphologically abnormal human spermatozoa

Objective:To determine the relationship between teratozoospermia and sperm DNA fragmentation(SDF)in the human ejaculate.Methods:This retrospective study included 100 normozoospermic men as a control cohort(abnormal forms>14%),210 patients with a high level of abnormal forms(≤4%)and 65 patients presenting with a moderate level of abnormal forms(>4%to≤14%)based on the World Health Organization definitions.Sperm morphology was assessed using bright field microscopy.Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed using the sperm chromatin dispersion assay.Non-parametric analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between abnormal sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation;receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analyses were conducted to assess sensitivity and specificity of this relationship.Results:A correlation analysis revealed that the higher the proportion of abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate,the higher the level of SDF(Spearman's Rho=-0.230;P<0.001).Significant differences in the proportion of SDF were found when all cohorts were compared(P<0.001);these significant differences were also retained when the different cohorts were compared pairwise.ROC analysis showed a moderate but significant predictive value for SDF to differentiate patients with different levels of teratozoospemia.Conclusions:Although analysis of a more continuous range of values for teratozoospermia would help further clarify any causal relationship with SDF,there is clearly a synergistic or coincident affiliation between these variables that needs to be acknowledged by the clinician when interpreting the spermiogram.

成纤维细胞生长因子与男性生殖调控

睾丸是雄性哺乳动物的生殖腺,主要功能为精子产生和雄激素合成。睾丸的结构及其功能的维持由生精细胞、支持细胞和间质细胞等多种细胞组成的复杂信号网络所支持。除了下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴以外,多种性激素和细胞因子也参与睾丸功能的调控。成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)是一类具有促细胞增殖、诱导组织分化和调控器官发育的重要活性蛋白,其在男性生殖系统的多个组织中均有表达。本文将概述FGF及其受体通路对睾丸细胞增殖和分化调控、精子发生诱导、男性生育力维持等方面的作用。

A case-control study of risk factors for male infertility in Nigeria

Aim： To evaluate the association between selected potential socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors and infertility in Nigerian men. Methods： There were two groups in this study. One group consisted of 150 men with proven male infertility, and the other consisted of 150 fertile men with normal semen parameters. Both were matched for age, place of residence and key socio-demographic variables. They were compared for sexual history, past medical and surgical history, past exposures to sexually transmitted infections and treatment, past and current use of drugs as well as smoking and alcohol intake history. Results： Infertile men were significantly more likely than fertile men to report having experienced penile discharge, painful micturition and genital ulcers, less likely to seek treatment for these symptoms and more likely to seek treatment with informal sector providers. Multivariate analysis showed that male infertility was significantly associated with bacteria in semen cultures, self-reporting of previous use of traditional medications and moderate to heavy alcohol intake, but not with smoking and occupational types. Conclusion： Infertility is associated with various proxies of sexually transmitted infections （STIs） and poor healthcare-seeking behavior for STIs in Nigerian men.

影响男性2型糖尿病中老年患者骨量减少的因素分析

目的探讨影响男性2型糖尿病(T2DM)中老年患者骨量减少的因素。方法选取2022年4月1日至2023年4月1日湖州市第一人民医院内分泌科住院治疗的268例男性T2DM中老年患者。收集患者年龄、糖尿病病程、吸烟史和饮酒史等基本资料;同时检测患者的血液生化免疫指标,包括糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、血肌酐(Scr)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、降钙素(CT)和β-胶原特殊序列(β-CTx)等。通过双能X线吸收仪对所有患者进行骨密度检测,根据检测结果将患者分为骨量正常组和骨量减少组,比较两组患者的一般情况和检测指标,采用二元logistic回归分析影响男性T2DM中老年患者骨量减少的危险因素。结果骨量正常组167例,骨量减少组101例。与骨量正常组比较,骨量减少组患者年龄更大,β-CTx和Hcy水平较高,BMI较低(均P<0.05)。二元logistic回归分析结果显示高年龄、高β-CTx水平、低BMI为男性T2DM中老年患者骨量减少的危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论男性T2DM中老年患者骨量减少与其年龄、BMI、β-CTx、Hcy相关,高年龄、高β-CTx水平、低BMI为男性T2DM中老年患者骨量减少的危险因素。

9852例男性不育患者精液质量及其影响因素分析

目的分析9852例男性不育患者的精液参数,探讨男性不育患者精液质量及其影响因素。方法选取2018年1月至2022年12月就诊于温州市中医院的9852例男性不育患者,分析精液参数包括精液外观、精液量、黏稠度、凝集度、液化时间、pH值、精子浓度、精子总数、精子总活动率[前向运动精子(PR)+非前向运动精子(NP)]、PR和正常形态精子百分率。按检测年份、患者年龄、禁欲天数进行分组,分析精液常规指标,并与同期本院体检已生育男性673名(对照组)进行比较。采用多元线性回归分析患者感染状况、生活习惯和职业特点等因素对精液参数的影响。结果不育组精液异常率结果从高到低依次为:正常形态精子百分率、PR、黏稠度、pH值、液化时间、精子总活动率、精子浓度、精子总数、精液量和凝集度。不育组的pH值、液化时间、精子浓度、精子总数、精子总活动率、PR、正常形态精子百分率均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。2018—2022年不同检测年份的精子浓度、精子总数和正常精子形态百分率呈逐年下降趋势,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);不同年龄分组中,随着患者年龄增长,精子总数、精子总活动率和PR随之降低,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.001);不同禁欲天数分组中,患者精子浓度、精子总活动率、精子总数和PR的差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。多元线性回归分析,前列腺炎、解脲脲原体感染、吸烟、饮酒、温热以及刺激气味环境与精子浓度、精子总数、精子总活动率、PR和正常精子形态百分率有关;久坐与精子总活动率、PR和正常精子形态百分率有关。结论2018—2022年男性不育患者精子浓度、精子总数和正常形态精子百分率呈逐年下降趋势;年龄、禁欲天数、泌尿生殖道感染(前列腺炎、解脲脲原体感染)、不良的生活习惯(吸烟、饮酒、久坐)和职业暴露(温热、刺激气味环境)可能是影响不育男性精液质量的因素。

房颤合并冠心病患者冠脉病变支数的影响因素

目的探讨影响心房颤动(AF)合并冠心病(CAD)患者冠脉病变支数的相关危险因素。方法选取AF合并CAD患者330例作为研究对象,根据血管病变支数分为1支血管病变组(n=122)、2支血管病变组(n=95)及3支血管病变组(n=113),比较3组患者的性别、年龄、吸烟史、饮酒史、心力衰竭、高血压、糖尿病、慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)、脑血管病史、血脂异常情况、外周动脉疾病、慢性肾衰竭、体质量指数(BMI)、尿酸、肌酐、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖、脑利钠肽前体(NT-Pro BNP)、非瓣膜病性心房颤动患者发生脑卒中的危险评分(CHA2DS2VASc)、心功能分级、院前口服用药情况;将有差异的指标纳入有序logistic多因素回归,分析影响AF合并CAD患者冠脉病变支数的危险因素。结果与1支血管病变组比较,3支血管病变组患者的男性占比、LDL-C、空腹血糖升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2支血管病变组患者的糖尿病占比升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);进一步有序logistic回归分析表明男性发生多支血管病变的风险为女性的1.904倍(P=0.004),LDL-C每升高1 mmol/L、发生多支血管病变的风险也逐级递增(P=0.001)。结论LDL-C是AF发生多支血管病变的独立危险因素;相比女性,男性与冠脉多支血管病变的相关性更强。

基于三维扫描的男大学生脚型参数提取与分类

为了提高鞋子穿着的合体性和舒适性,准确掌握青年男大学生脚型的三维特征,采用三维激光脚型扫描仪对437名青年男大学生进行测试。分别对脚长、跖趾围长、足弓高度等19个原始测量指标进行统计学分析、因子分析,并采用K-means聚类分析实现脚型细分。结果表明:描述脚型高度维度的指标变异较大,长度维度的变异较小;通过因子分析提取出长度特征因子、宽度特征因子、高度特征因子、其他特征因子4个主成分,并根据因子权重值,提取脚长、跖趾围长、足弓高度3个变量作为脚型分类标准,采用K-means聚类算法将青年男大学生的脚型细分为短瘦低足弓型、长中低足弓型、短瘦高足弓型、长胖低足弓型、短瘦中足弓型、长胖高足弓型、中胖高足弓型7种类型。实验结果可以为制鞋企业生产舒适合体的鞋子提供理论依据。

鄂尔多斯盆地马岭—乔川地区长6油层组油藏分布特征及控制因素

基于岩心观察、测井解释及开采数据分析,结合流体包裹体等测试,对马岭—乔川地区长6油层组的油藏分布特征及控制因素开展研究。研究结果表明,研究区油藏纵向上主要分布在长63油层段,长62、长61油层段含油性显著变差;平面上,长63油层段以L125,B452和L411井区为中心,油藏团块状分布,呈两条带沿北西南东向延伸,油层厚度主要在5~20 m之间,长62、长61油层呈孤立土豆疙瘩状分布,分布规模小。长6油层组油藏以岩性油藏为主,包裹体均一温度集中在70~90℃,荧光以黄褐色为主,结合区域埋藏史分析显示该区油藏充注为晚侏罗世和中-晚白垩世,表现为早期充注。长6油层组烃源岩厚度、距离,砂体砂质碎屑流砂体性质、物性和叠置类型是其形成油气藏的重要影响因素;长63油层段相比长62和长61油层段具有更靠近烃源岩,砂质碎屑流成因砂体分布广、孔渗条件好、叠置厚层砂体类型发育等优势。研究区最为有利油藏的勘探目标为长63油层段Y470,L374,B452等井区附近,有利勘探区面积达到517.28 km 2。

老年男性血清脂肪因子Irisin、Asprosin水平与骨质疏松性髋部骨折的相关性

目的探讨血清脂肪因子鸢尾素(Irisin)、白脂素(Asprosin)水平与老年男性骨质疏松性髋部骨折的关系。方法选取2020年6月—2022年6月收治106例老年男性骨质疏松症作为病例组,另选取同期体检的80名老年男性健康人群作为对照组。根据纳入骨质疏松症患者是否发生髋部骨折再分为髋部骨折组(n=44)和无骨折组(n=62)。采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测所有受试者血清Irisin、Asprosin水平,骨密度仪测量骨质疏松症患者股骨大粗隆、健侧股骨颈、第1~4腰椎骨密度,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估血清Irisin、Asprosin水平对老年男性骨质疏松性髋部骨折的预测价值,采用多因素Logistic回归分析探讨老年男性骨质疏松性髋部骨折的影响因素。结果病例组血清Irisin、Asprosin水平高于对照组(P<0.01)。髋部骨折组血清Irisin、Asprosin水平高于无骨折组(P<0.01)。血清Irisin、Asprosin联合预测老年男性骨质疏松症患者发生髋部骨折的曲线下面积为0.907(95%CI:0.862,0.952)。股骨颈骨密度≤0.77 g/cm^(2)、血清Irisin≥140.26 ng/mL、血清Asprosin≥2.75 ng/mL是老年男性骨质疏松症患者并发髋部骨折的独立危险因素(P<0.01)。结论血清Irisin、Asprosin水平升高是老年男性骨质疏松症患者髋部骨折发生的危险因素,二者联合预测老年男性骨质疏松性髋部骨折具有重要的临床价值。

Factors related to lymph node metastasis and surgical strategy used to treat early gastric carcinoma

AIM:The prognosis of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) is generally excellent after surgery. The presence or absence of lymph node metastasis in EGC is an important prognostic factor. The survival and recurrence rates of node-negative EGC are much better than those of node-positive EGC. This study examined the factors related to lymph node metastasis in EGC to determine the appropriate treatment for EGC.METHODS: We investigated 748 patients with EGC who underwent surgery between January 1985 and December 1999 at the Division of Gastroenterologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. Several clinicopathologic factors were investigated to analyze their relationship to lymph node metastasis: age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, gross type, histologic type, depth of invasion, extent of lymph node dissection, type of operation,and DNA ploidy.RESULTS:Lymph node metastases were found in 75 patients (10.0%). Univariate analysis showed that male sex, tumor size larger than 2.0cm, submucosal invasion of tumor, histologic differentiation, and DNA ploidy pattern were risk factors for regional lymph node metastasis in EGC patients. However, a multivariate analysis showed that three risk factors were associated with lymph node metastasis:large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion. No statistical relationship was found for age, sex, tumor location, gross type, or DNA ploidy in multivariate analysis. The 5-year survival rate was 94.2% for those without lymph node metastasis and 87.3% for those with lymph node metastasis, and the difference was significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: In patients with EGC, the survival rate of patients with positive lymph nodes is significantly worse than that of patients with no lymph node metastasis. Therefore,a standard D2 lymphadenectomy should be performed in patients at high risk of lymph node metastasis: large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion.

The prevalence of azoospermia factor microdeletion on the Y chromosome of Chinese infertile men detected by multi-analyte suspension array technology

Aim： To develop a high-throughput multiplex, fast and simple assay to scan azoospermia factor （AZF） region microdeletions on the Y chromosome and establish the prevalence of Y chromosomal microdeletions in Chinese infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. Methods： In total, 178 infertile patients with azoospermia （nonobstructed）, 134 infertile patients with oligozoospermia as well as 40 fertile man controls were included in the present study. The samples were screened for AZF microdeletion using optimized multi-analyte suspension array （MASA） technology. Results： Of the 312 patients, 36 （11.5%） were found to have deletions in the AZF region. The rnicrodeletion frequency was 14% （25/178） in the azoospermia group and 8.2% （11/134） in the oligospermia group. Among 36 patients with microdeletions, 19 had deletions in the AZFc region, seven had deletions in AZFa and six had deletions in AZFb. In addition, four patients had both AZFb and AZFc deletions. No deletion in the AZF region was found in the 40 fertile controls. Conclusion： There is a high prevalence of Y chromosomal microdeletions in Chinese infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The MASA technology, which has been established in the present study, provides a sensitive and high-throughput method for detecting the deletion of the Y chromosome. And the results suggest that genetic screening should be advised to infertile men before starting assisted reproductive treatments.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Platelet Activating Factor Content in Arterial Blood Preand Post-Arterial Thrombosis in Rats

To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) on platelet activating factor (PAF) content in arterial blood pre- and post-arterial thrombosis in rats, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the medicine group treated with BHD, the control group with dexamethasone liquid, and the blank group with distilled water. Oral administration was given for 14 consecutive days, once daily. Model of arterial thrombosis was established in the animals 2 hours after final medication, the blood content of PAF, dry weight (DW) and occlusion time (OT) of thrombus, and dry weight of thrombus/body weight (TW/BW) ratio were observed. Results indicated that BHD could markedly lower the arterial blood content of PAF after thrombosis, increase the OT of thrombus, reduce the dry weight of thrombus and the TW/BW ratio (P<0.05). It is suggested that BHD can inhibit the pathologic PAF metabolism and formation and development of arterial thrombus.

Quantitative analysis of transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA in patients with alcoholic liver disease

AIM: To investigate the expression of the transforminggrowth factor beta 1 (TGF- beta 1 ) mRNA in different stagesof alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and its clinical value.METHODS: One hundred and seven male alcoholics weregrouped by clinical findings into four groups: alcoholabusers without liver impairment (n=22 ), alcoholicsteatosis ( n = 30 ); alcoholic hepatitis ( n = 31 ); andalcoholic cirrhosis ( n = 24 ) Using peripheral bloodmononuclear cells(PBMC) as samples the gene expressionof TGF-beta 1 was examined quantitatively by reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and dotblot. There are 34 healthy subjects served as control.RESULTS: The expression of TGF-beta 1 from all ALDpatients was significantly greater than that in controls ( 1. 320± 1.162 vs 0.808±0.276, P＜0.001). The differences of theexpressions were significant between the patients from eachgroups ( alcoholic steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis andalcoholic cirrhosis) and the controls ( 1. 168 ± 0.852, 1.462 ±1.657, 1.329± 0.610 vs 0.808 ± 0.276, P＜ 0.050). Nosignificant differences of TGF -beta 1 mRNA expression wereobserved between alcohol abusers without liver impairmentand controls. The expressions in patients with alcoholichepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis were significantly greaterthan that in alcohol abusers respectively (1.462 ± 1. 657, 1.329 ± 0. 610 vs 0. 841 ± 0. 706, P ＜ 0. 050). No significantdifferences of TGF -beta 1 mRNA expression were observedbetween alcoholic fatty liver men and alcohol abusers.CONCLUSION: TGF-beta 1 expression level can be a riskfactor for alcoholic liver disease and might be related to theinflammatory activity and fibrosis of the liver in patients .

Development of methods of male contraception: impact of the World Health Organization Task Force

Objective: To give an historical record of the research of the World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force to develop methods of male contraception; to examine the social, political, medical, pharmaceutical, funding, and other factors that influenced progress; and to suggest reasons why such methods are only now becoming available. Design: Review of basic and clinical research over 30 years. Setting: Task force of a multinational agency and collaborating agencies. Conclusion(s): Through the involvement of many international scientists, the WHO Task Force has uniquely contributed to the exploratory phases of the research in male contraception and by its multicenter contraceptive efficacy studies has accelerated progress towards the ideal hormonal method. Despite an adverse climate involving social and political attitudes, funding constraints, and pharmaceutical industry hesitations, WHO formed coalitions with governments and international agencies to sustain research with results that apply to men in culturally diverse populations and thereby to influence activities across the whole range of global reproductive health and family planning.

Clinical significance of plasma D-dimer and von Willebrand factor levels in patients with ulcer colitis

AIM: To investigate the levels of D-dimer(DD) and vonWillebrand factor(vWF) and the relationship between DDand vWF in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients.METHODS: A total of 29 plasma specimens were obtainedfrom patients with ulcerative colitis (male 13, female 16),aged 21-47 years (33 + 11). Disease activity was assessed byTruelove-Writeria. Patients with a score of above 5 wereregarded as having active colitis. Twenty healthy people(male 12, female 8),aged 19-53 years(31 + 14), ssrved asnormal controls. Blood samples were taken from anantecubital vein puncture. Blood(1.8 mL) was injected intothe tubes containing sodium citrate (0. 13 mmol/L). Theplasma was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r@ min-1 for 10min, and stored at -80 ℃ until assayed by ELISA.RESULTS: The mean plasma levels of DD and vWF in activeUC patients were significantly higher than those of thecontrols(0.69+0.41 vs0.27+0.11, P＜0.01;143+46 vs103 + 35, P ＜ 0.01 ). The mean plasma levels of DD in thepatients with active disease were higher than those withinactive disease(0. 69 + 0. 41 vs 0.48+0.29, P＜0.05). Thelevls of v WF were not different between active and inactivepatients. DD levels were positively related to vWF levels( r =0.574, P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was no significant differencebetween levels of DD and vWF and the scope of disease cndsex of the patients.CONCLUSION: vWF is an important feature and a goodmarker of UC; intravascular thrombus and endothelial celldysfunction were found in UC patients; and the combinedtest of DD and vWF is helpful to distinguish the activity ofthe UC patients.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on the growth of human gastric cancer cell and the implanted tumor of nude mice

AIM: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important rolein the regulation of gastrointestinal tissue growth anddevelopment, and it can stimulate epithelial proliferation,cell differentiation and growth. It has been established thatthe EGF can promote gastric cytoprotection and ulcerhealing. But the potential ability of EGF to regulate thegastric cancer growth is unknown. This study is toinvestigate the influence of EGF on human gastric cancercell and the implanted tumor growth of nude mice.METHODS: The cell growth rates of human gastricadenocarinoma cell lines MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 andnormal human gastric epithelial cells 3T3 were assessedwhen incubated with recombinant human EGF (rhEGF, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10, 50, 100 mg.L-1) using MTT method.The cells of MKN-28, MKN-45, SGC-7901 (gaatric cancertissue 1.5 mm3 ) were implanted in the BALB/cA nude micefor 10 days. The EGF was given intrapsritoneally (15, 30, 60μg. kg-1) for 3 weels. The body weights of the tumor-bearing animals and their tumor mass were measuredafterwards to assess the mitogenic effect of rhEGF in thenude mice.RESULTS: Within the concentration range of 0.05-100 mg.L-1 , rhEGF could increase the cell growth ofnormal 3T3 cells(cell growth rate 100 % vs 102.8 %, P＜0.05), but partiallyrestrain the gastric cancer cell growth. The latter effect wesrelated to cell differentiation. In 15-60μg/kg rhEGF groups,the mean implanted tumor mass of MKN-28 cell were 1.75 g,1.91 g, 2.08 g/NS group 1.97 g ( P＞ 0.05), the mean tumormass of SGC-7901 cell were 1.53 g, 1.07 g, 1.20 g/NS group1.07 g ( P ＞ 0.05), and for MKN-45 cell, the tumor masswere respectively 1.92 g, 1.29 g, 1.77 g/NS group 1.82 g( P＞ 0.05 ). So rhEGF had no obvious effect on implantedMKN-28, SGC-7901 and MKN-45 tumor growth.CONCLUSION: EGF has no stimulating effect on the humangastric cancer cell growth neither in vitro nor in vivo.