[Seasonal variations influenced the semen quality of the sperm donor in Beijing area].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change trends of sperm quality with seasonal variations among the volunteers of sperm donors in Beijing area, as well as the relationship between two parameters. METHODS: Semen data from the volunteers of sperm donors in Human Sperm Bank of Peking University Third Hospital were collected using a retrospective study method. The subjects were divided into 4 seasonal groups based on the lunar solar terms and the time of sperm donation. The data were assessed to find whether there were differences in semen parameters among different seasonal groups, and to analyze the change trends and the influence of seasonal factors on semen parameters. RESULTS: A total of 21 174 semen parameter data were analyzed. Firstly, to analyze all data as a whole, in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, sperm concentration was (106.04±59.67)×106/mL, (97.61±47.41)×106/mL, (100.18±47.17)×106/mL, (100.59±38.68)×106/mL, respectively, and the spring group was significantly higher than the other 3 seasonal groups (P < 0.001); proportion of progressive motility sperm (PR) was 56.49%±12.76%, 58.02%±13.65%, 58.05%±12.36%, and 57.66%±12.61%, respectively, spring group was lower than the other three seasonal groups, and summer group was better among the latter (P < 0.001). There was no difference in normal rate of sperm morphology among the four seasonal groups. The qualified rate of sperm donors in the winter group was higher than that in the other three seasons groups (P < 0.01), while the qualified rate in the summer group was lower than that in the other three seasons groups. In addition, the semen parameters of the volunteers during the screening period and the official sperm donation period were analyzed respectively, which revealed that sperm concentration of spring group was higher than that of summer and winter groups, and PR was lower than that of summer and autumn groups. On account of the semen parameters of official sperm donation period, multiple linear regression analysis found that season was the main factor affecting sperm concentration, the average sperm concentration in spring group was about 6×106/mL higher than in winter group, but PR was 2.9% lower in spring group compared with autumn group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Season was the influencing factor of semen quality of sperm donors in Beijing area. We recommend spring and winter may be the preferred seasons for sperm donation.

[Malfunction of autophagy in tibial growth plate chondrocytes causes increased apoptosis rate in chronic renal insufficiency rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of autophagy of tibial growth plate chondrocyte on apoptosis in chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) rats. Methods: Male 4-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Sham group: only the left ureter was exposed (n=10); (2) CRI group: the left ureter was ligated to cause CRI (n=10). The urine from all the rats was collected 6 weeks after the operation and the total protein content was measured. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the concentrations of creatinine and urea nitrogen in intracardiac blood were detected. The proximal tibia were fixed and decalcified to prepare histological sections, and the number of chondrocytes of column cells in the proliferative area of tibia growth plate was observed by saffron O staining. The expression rate of protein Light Chain-3, an autophagy marker of chondrocytes, was detected by immunofluorescence. The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes was detected by the method of TUNEL assay. The level of glycogenin-1, a glycogen formation marker of chondrocyte was detected by immunohistochemistry in chondrocytes. Results: The 24 h urine total protein was higher in CRI group [(163.5±11.3) mg vs (38.6±9.8) mg, t=25.620, P<0.001]. The levels of blood creatinine [(67.3±16.2) µmol/L vs (28.4±11.5) µmol/L, t=5.974, P<0.001] and urea nitrogen [(16.4±6.4) mmol/L vs (4.8±2.0) mmol/L, t=5.198, P<0.001] were higher in CRI group. The number of chondrocytes of column cells in the proliferating area of tibia growth plate was lower in CRI group (4.2±2.1 vs 9.1±3.8, t=3.109, P=0.006). The expression rate of LC-3 protein in chondrocytes of CRI group was lower [(27.2±12.6)% vs (51.4±18.2)%, t=3.457, P=0.003]. The level of glycogenin-1 of chondrocytes in CRI group increased significantly (6.1±2.5 vs 3.5±1.8, t=2.669, P=0.016). The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes in CRI group also increased [(17.2±4.8)% vs (5.1±3.4)%, t=6.505, P<0.001]. Conclusion: Malfunction of autophagy in tibial growth plate chondrocytes causes increased apoptosis rate in CRI rats, which might be caused by the failure of glycogen degradation in chondrocytes.

[Effect of primary cilia expression rate on Wnt/ß signaling pathway in tibial growth plate chondrocytes from chronic renal insufficiency young rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of primary cilia expression rate on Wnt/ß signaling pathway in tibial growth plate chondrocytes from chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) young rats. Methods: Male 2-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Sham group: only the left ureter was exposed (n=6); (2) CRI group: the left ureter was ligated (n=6). Rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after the operation and the primary cilia expression rate of growth plate chondrocytes and key protein ß-catenin in Wnt/ß signaling pathway were observed in histological section of tibia specimen. Chondrocytes isolated from growth plate in two groups were cultured in vitro to P3 generation. The primary cilia expression rate and the level of ß-catenin were measured. The primary cilia expression rate was detected by agonists and antagonists Wnt/ß signaling pathway in chondrocytes of CRI group. The level of ß-catenin was detected by using serum-free culture and chloral hydrate to intervene chondrocytes in CRI group. Results: The primary cilia expression rate of growth plate chondrocytes in histological section of tibia specimen in CRI group was higher than that in Sham group [(17.5±7.7)% vs (8.7±3.6)%, t=3.237, P=0.005], and the level of ß-catenin was higher in CRI group (5.1±0.7 vs 1.9±0.8, t=6.731, P<0.001). The primary cilia expression rate of growth plate chondrocytes cultured in vitro in CRI group was higher than that in Sham group [(20.9±8.1)% vs (11.8±4.7)%, t=3.073, P=0.007], and the level of ß-catenin was higher in CRI group (0.49±0.12 vs 0.25±0.11, t=3.297, P=0.011). There was no significant change in primary cilia expression rate after intervention by using Wnt/ß signaling agonists and antagonists to change the level of ß-catenin [agonists group: (21.3±7.6)%, control: (20.6±6.8)%, antagonists group: (22.4±6.2)%, F=0.173, P=0.842]. The level of ß-catenin was significantly changed after intervention by using serum-free culture, chloral hydrate to alter the primary cilia expression rate (serum-free culture group: 0.61±0.23, control: 0.39±0.24, chloral hydrate group: 0.15±0.11, F=6.476, P=0.012). There was a positive correlation between the level of ß-catenin and primary cilia expression rate. Conclusion: The primary cilia expression rate and the level of Wnt/ß signaling pathway were higher in tibial growth plate chondrocytes in CRI rats model, and primary cilia might have positive regulatory effects on the Wnt/ß signaling pathway.

[Efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin-5 therapy in patients with asthma: systematic reviews].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-Interleukin-5 therapy in patients with asthma. Methods: Data were collected from PubMed, E-Mbase, Springer, Ovid, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI and Wanfang database (-Feb 2017). Bibliographies of the retrieved articles were checked and analyzed. Results: Twenty publications involving a total of 6 406 patients were used in the analysis, including 23 randomly controlled trials (RCTs) which compared anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody with placebo. Pooled analyses showed that anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody significantly reduced exacerbation risk [RR=0.66, 95%CI(0.59, 0.73)], increased FEV(1)[MD=0.10, 95%CI(0.07, 0.13)] and FEV(1)% predicted [MD=3.90, 95%CI(1.86, 5.95)], and improved the scores on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) [MD=0.24, 95%CI(0.16, 0.32)]. Anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody was also associated with significantly decreased risk of adverse events than placebo[OR=0.71, 95%CI(0.58, 0.87)]. Conclusion: Anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody reduces the risk of exacerbations and improves quality of life in patients with asthma, and is tolerated well.

Silicon photonic integrated circuits with electrically programmable non-volatile memory functions.

Conventional silicon photonic integrated circuits do not normally possess memory functions, which require on-chip power in order to maintain circuit states in tuned or field-configured switching routes. In this context, we present an electrically programmable add/drop microring resonator with a wavelength shift of 426 pm between the ON/OFF states. Electrical pulses are used to control the choice of the state. Our experimental results show a wavelength shift of 2.8 pm/ms and a light intensity variation of ~0.12 dB/ms for a fixed wavelength in the OFF state. Theoretically, our device can accommodate up to 65 states of multi-level memory functions. Such memory functions can be integrated into wavelength division mutiplexing (WDM) filters and applied to optical routers and computing architectures fulfilling large data downloading demands.

The Second National Ballistics Imaging Comparison (NBIC-2).

In response to the guidelines issued by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB-International) to establish traceability and quality assurance in U.S. crime laboratories, NIST and the ATF initiated a joint project, entitled the National Ballistics Imaging Comparison (NBIC). The NBIC project aims to establish a national traceability and quality system for ballistics identifications in crime laboratories utilizing ATF's National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). The original NBIC was completed in 2010. In the second NBIC, NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2461 Cartridge Cases were used as reference standards, and 14 experts from 11 U.S. crime laboratories each performed 17 image acquisitions and correlations of the SRM cartridge cases over the course of about half a year. Resulting correlation scores were collected by NIST for statistical analyses, from which control charts and control limits were developed for the proposed quality system and for promoting future assessments and accreditations for firearm evidence in U.S. forensic laboratories in accordance with the ISO 17025 Standard.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of the osteoprotegerin gene and postmenopausal osteoporosis in Chinese women.

Osteoporosis is an important and common complex health problem, particularly in postmenopausal women. It is characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and a deterioration of bone microarchitecture with a consequent increase of fracture risk. The osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene is considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. We analyzed SNPs of the OPG gene and associations between these polymorphisms and BMD in 399 Chinese postmenopausal women. BMD was quantified at the lumbar spine (L2-4), femoral neck, and total hip. The g.2264T>C and g.27676A>C SNPs were detected by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. A significant association with spine BMD was found for g.27676A>C. The spine BMD value for subjects with genotype AA was significantly higher than those with genotypes GA and AA. No significant association was detected between any of the SNP marker genotypes and the other traits. We conclude that g.27676A>C in the OPG gene affects spine BMD and that the C allele is associated with increased risk for osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women.

Highly flexible and efficient top-emitting organic light-emitting devices with ultrasmooth Ag anode.

We demonstrate highly flexible and efficient top-emitting organic light-emitting devices (TOLEDs) by using an ultrasmooth Ag anode. A template-stripping process has been employed to create the ultrasmooth Ag anode on a photopolymer substrate. The flexible TOLEDs obtained by this method keep good electroluminescence properties under a small bending radius and after repeated bending. The efficiency of the flexible TOLEDs is improved by 60% compared with the conventional TOLEDs deposited on Si substrate due to the enhanced hole injection from the ultrasmooth anode.

The observation of super-long range surface plasmon polaritons modes and its application as sensory devices.

In this communication, we will describe one unique phenomenon and the potential application of it. In this work, the dispersion relation of an air-silver-silicon-silver-fluid (air-Ag-Si-Ag-fluid) five-layer slab is analyzed theoretically, in which the super-long range surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) modes, whose energy penetrates deeply into the fluid, are found with their losses being extremely small and sensitive to the change of the fluid refractive index when operating near their interspace cut-off regions, where the dispersion curves are non-continuous. By applying this phenomenon in detecting the fluid refractive index change, a SPP sensor based on intensity measurement is proposed. It is a waveguide structure with an Ag-Si-Ag slab together with a flow cell filled with the detecting fluid. It is found that a large scale of linear detection (e.g., 0.08, for 1550 nm ~1.33 to 1.41) with high resolution (e.g., 7.9 × 10(-6) Refractive Index Units) can be achieved for a very short device, which is 200 µm.

Ultra-high order ring resonator system with sharp transmission peaks.

We propose a relay ring resonator structure which comprises multiple cascaded microring resonators, in which the drop waveguide of a microring resonator is also the input waveguide of the subsequent microring resonator, and so forth. Thus, the transmission response of the relay ring resonator structure has sharp peaks, high out-of-band rejection ratios, and long group delays. A relay ring resonator structure comprising 90 microrings is fabricated on silicon nitride wire waveguides. The simulation and experimental results are in good agreement.

The application of dexmedetomidine combined with dezocine in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer and its effect on awakening quality of patients.

OBJECTIVE: The paper aims to explore the application of dexmedetomidine combined with dezocine in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer and its effect on the awakening quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 122 patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer in The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 2009 to January 2012 were selected as the subjects of the study. Among them, 68 patients were anesthetized with dexmedetomidine combined with dezocine as a study group, 54 patients with midazolam combined with fentanyl as a control group. The onset of anesthetic, operation time, awakening time, extubation time, and recovery time was compared. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and heart rate (HR) were compared before anesthesia (t0), at extubation (t1), 10 min after extubation (t2), and when patients left anesthesia recovery room (t3). The postoperative sedation score (Ramsay), modified the objective pain score (MOPS), and the pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) score were compared at the time of the postoperative awakening (b1), 30 min after awakening (b2), 1 hour after awakening (b3), and 3 hours after awakening (b4). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in MAP, CVP, and HR between the study group and the control group at t0 (p > 0.05). The scores of PAED at b3 and b4 in the study group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anesthesia effect of dexmedetomidine combined with dezocine in thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer is better and safer than other drugs, and it can produce good sedation and analgesic effect.

Microring resonator-assisted Fourier transform spectrometer with enhanced resolution and large bandwidth in single chip solution.

Single chip integrated spectrometers are critical to bring chemical and biological sensing, spectroscopy, and spectral imaging into robust, compact and cost-effective devices. Existing on-chip spectrometer approaches fail to realize both high resolution and broad band. Here we demonstrate a microring resonator-assisted Fourier-transform (RAFT) spectrometer, which is realized using a tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) cascaded with a tunable microring resonator (MRR) to enhance the resolution, integrated with a photodetector onto a single chip. The MRR boosts the resolution to 0.47 nm, far beyond the Rayleigh criterion of the tunable MZI-based Fourier-transform spectrometer. A single channel achieves large bandwidth of ~ 90 nm with low power consumption (35 mW for MRR and 1.8 W for MZI) at the expense of degraded signal-to-noise ratio due to time-multiplexing. Integrating a RAFT element array is envisaged to dramatically extend the bandwidth for spectral analytical applications such as chemical and biological sensing, spectroscopy, image spectrometry, etc.

Low loss (approximately 6.45dB/cm) sub-micron polycrystalline silicon waveguide integrated with efficient SiON waveguide coupler.

In this communication, the sub-micron size polycrystalline silicon (poly- Si) single mode waveguides are fabricated and integrated with SiON waveguide coupler by deep UV lithography. The propagation loss of poly-Si waveguide and coupling loss with optical flat polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) are measured. For whole C-band (i.e., lambda approximately 1520-1565nm), the propagation loss of TE mode is measured to approximately 6.45+/-0.3dB/cm. The coupling loss with optical flat PMF is approximately 3.4dB/facet for TE mode. To the best of our knowledge, the propagation loss is among the best reported results. This communication discusses the factors reducing the propagation loss, especially the effect of the refractive index contrast. Compared to the SiO(2) cladding, poly-Si waveguide with SiON cladding exhibits lower propagation loss.

Cascade wide-angle Y-junction 1 x 16 optical power splitter based on silicon wire waveguides on silicon-on-insulator.

A 1 x 16 optical power splitter with wide splitting angle, uniform outputs, and low excess loss is demonstrated. The 1 x 16 splitter comprising cascaded 1 x 2 splitters with arc-shaped branching waveguides is fabricated on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The gap between the branching waveguides is widened in a short propagation length such that influences of etch residues and air voids in the gap on the optical power uniformity are reduced significantly. The measured power uniformity of the 1 x 16 splitter is better than 0.3 dB at wavelength of 1550 nm.

Controlled defect creation and removal in graphene and MoS2 monolayers.

It is known that defects strongly influence the properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials. The controlled creation and removal of defects can be utilized to tailor the optical and electronic responses of these 2D materials for optoelectronic and nanoelectronic applications. In this study, we developed an efficient approach to reversibly control the defect states in mechanically exfoliated graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayers. The defects were created by aluminium oxide (Al2O3) plasmas and removed by moderate thermal annealing at up to 300 °C. We employed Raman and photoluminescence (PL) as well as electrical characterization to monitor the variation of the defect level in graphene and MoS2. For graphene, Raman spectra indicate that the Al2O3 plasma induced sp3-type defects with a controlled concentration, which have been substantially removed after thermal annealing. A similar trend was also observed in monolayer MoS2, as revealed by the defect-related emission peak (Xb) in the PL spectra. We further showed that the defects induced by the Al2O3 plasma in both 2D materials can be restored to any intended level via annealing under well-controlled conditions. Our work presents a new route to the functional design of the optical and electronic properties of graphene and MoS2-based devices through defect engineering.

Regulation of rat hypothalamic preprogrowth hormone-releasing factor messenger ribonucleic acid by dietary protein.

To further evaluate nutrient regulation of GRF synthesis, we measured hypothalamic preproGRF messenger (m) RNA in food-deprived rats refed diets varying in nutrient composition by nuclease protection analysis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed free access to food (Fed), food deprived for 72 h (72-h FD), or 72 h FD then refed for 72 h with either a normal (NF) diet or isocaloric diets containing no protein (PF), carbohydrate (CF), or fat (FF). Seventy-two-hour FD rats displayed the expected 80% reduction in hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA. Upon refeeding, levels were normalized in rats refed NF, CF, or FF diets. In contrast, preproGRF mRNA in rats refed a PF diet was similar to that in 72-h FD rats. Rats refed a PF diet failed to gain weight and consumed less food than animals refed NF, CF, or FF diets. However, the lack of the GRF response to the PF diet was due to protein deprivation rather than caloric restriction, since hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA returned to 66% of Fed values in rats refed an equivalent amount (grams per day) of a NF diet. In 72-h FD rats refed isocaloric diets containing 4%, 8%, or 12% protein, preproGRF mRNA was restored to Fed values in a protein concentration-dependent manner being completely restored by the 12% diet. A lack of dietary protein was sufficient to regulate hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA since feeding rats a PF diet without prior food deprivation resulted in 70% reduction in preproGRF mRNA, whereas CF and FF diets were without effect. These data indicate that decreased hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA expression in 72-h FD rats occurs as a result of dietary protein deprivation.

Fluorescent staining of glycoproteins on polyvinylidene difluoride membrane with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate.

Here, we describe a simple and sensitive method that allows fluorescent detection of glycoproteins on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane. We used periodic acid oxidation of carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins and fluorescent labeling with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (AN-TS) by reductive amination. We developed an additional method to enhance the ability of PVDF to absorb glycoproteins by using non-glycoprotein lectin, such as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), as a link between the PVDF membrane and glycoproteins, resulting in considerably increased detection sensitivity to glycoproteins.

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase C4.

LDH-C4, the testis-specific isozymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), is the predominant LDH isozyme in mammalian spermatozoa. Nine monoclonal antibodies against mouse LDH-C4 have been developed. These antibodies were tested for cross reactivity with LDH-C4 from human testis and with LDH-1-5 from mouse and human testes by immunoelectrophoresis, bio-dot, and western blot assays. The results showed that all monoclonal antibodies were specific to LDH-C4 only: they did not react with LDH-1-5 from mice, nor from humans. The immunologic localization of the monoclonal antibodies on capacitated sperm was observed by indirect immunofluorescent assay. On mouse sperm the antibodies were bound to the tail only, but on human sperm eight antibodies were bound to the postacrosome, some to the neck and to the mid-piece. Most of the antibodies belonged to the Ig G class.

Comparative study on the distribution of ovalbumin glycoforms by capillary electrophoresis.

Two commercial turkey egg ovalbumins (TEOs) with different quantities of mannose, were further purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for either of the purified glycoproteins showed one big wide band and one close small band. Capillary electrophoresis was used for the investigation of the separation of glycoforms of both glycoproteins. The best resolution of the glycoforms was obtained, reproducibly, with 100 mM borate, 1.8 mM 1,4-diaminobutane and pH 8.6 electrophoretic buffer. At least 13 glycoform peaks could be separated for either of the two glycoproteins. Their glycoform patterns were highly similar except for the conspicuous decrease in quantity of four glycoforms in the ovalbumin containing less mannose, compared to that of the other with more mannose. Coinjection electrophoresis of the two glycoproteins indicated that almost every glycoform peak of the former exactly overlapped with its corresponding glycoform peak of the latter. These results clearly indicated that the two TEOs possessed the same glycoform patterns but differed in quantity at least four glycoforms. It was found that the glycoform patterns were remarkably different between TEO and chicken egg ovalbumin.

Analysis of 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate-derivatized oligosaccharides by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

Dextran was partially hydrolyzed with 0.1 mol/l HCl and the hydrolysate was derivatized with 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS) by reductive amination. The derivatized-oligosaccharide mixture was separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in a buffer of 1% HAc-NH4OH, pH 3.4, and the separated components were detected on-line by electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT-MS) in the negative ion mode. A mass accuracy lower than 0.01% could be achieved and as low as 1.6 pmol of detxran octaose could be detected. ANTS-derivatized dextran oligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization (DP) lower than 6 produced both [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- ions, whereas those with a DP of 6 or higher than 6 produced only [M-2H]2- ion. As 1< or =DP< or =6, the percentage of [M-2H]2- ion in the total ions of [M-H]- and [M-2H]2- was found to be a linear function of the logarithmic DP. Molecular mass determination with ESI-QIT-MS strengthens the power of CE analysis of oligosaccharides.