[Potential targets of Euodiae Fructus in treatment of insomnia based on network pharmacology].

The acupoint application of Euodiae Fructus at Yongquan(KI1) can significantly improve the sleep quality of patients with insomnia with berberine as the main effective component for the efficacy. Nineteen active compounds and 203 drug targets were screened out from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). After comparison with GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), 24 common genes of diseases and drugs were obtained. STRING 11.0 was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the overlapping genes, and Matthews correlation coefficient(MCC) was employed to screen the core genes, which were then subjected to enrichment analysis with gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG). The results revealed that the main compounds of Euodiae Fructus, such as berberine and rutaecarpine, participated in the biological processes(such as neurotransmitter receptor activity) by regulating C-reactive protein(CRP), estrogen receptor 1(ESR1), 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) receptor, and interleukin-6(IL-6) to exert sedative, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects. Sixty 4-week-old SPF mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug(diazepam tablets) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose berberine groups. Medication with corresponding drugs was performed for one week. The results demonstrated that berberine was potent in reducing the activities and standing times of mice, down-regulating the levels of CRP and IL-6 mRNA in the hypothalamus, and up-regulating the expression of 5-HT(P<0.01); however, no significant effect on ESR1 was observed. The network of Euodiae Fructus in treating insomnia was constructed by network pharmacology and verified by tests. The findings indicated that the therapeutic efficacy of Euodiae Fructus in treating insomnia was achieved by participating in multiple biological processes, such as neurotransmitter receptor activity, which provided a scientific basis for its clinical application.

Role of the endocannabinoid system in the formation and development of depression.

Two types of cannabinoid (CB) receptors have been described in the human body: CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptor distribution may be related to the cannabinoid functions of memory and cognition regulation as well as motor control. In addition, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) related to CB1 receptors may be involved in human emotion regulation, especially depression occurrence. Indeed, CB1 receptors are all distributed in depression associated neuroanatomical structures and neural circuits. Both animal experiments and clinical studies have demonstrated that impairment of the ECS pathway is present in depression models and patients, and application of both CB1 receptor agonists and anandamide (cannabinoid-like substance) degradation inhibitors produce similar biochemical and behavioral effects as antidepressants. These findings provide a solid basis for understanding the ECS role in the formation and development of depression. Therefore, it can be inferred that the ECS may have an important function in both depression treatment and the effects of antidepressants.

[Effect of UVRAG Gene on Ferroptosis Induced by Sorafenib in K562 Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of UV radiation resistance-associated gene (UVRAG) on ferroptosis induced by sorafenib in leukemia K562 cells. METHODS: K562 cells were treated with 0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µmol/L sorafenib for 24 or 48 hours, and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry technology was used to detect the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in K562 cells treated with 0, 5, and 10 µmol/L sorafenib for 24 hours. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of GPX4 in K562 cells treated with 0, 5, and 10 µmol/L sorafenib and pretreatment with ferroptosis inhibitor. A recombinant lentiviral vector was used to construct UVRAG overexpression cell line in K562 cells. qPCR and Western blot were used to verify UVRAG gene overexpression, and Western blot detected the effect of UVRAG on the protein expression of GPX4 and HMGB1 after treatment with sorafenib. RESULTS: Different concentrations of sorafenib could significantly inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells, and the cell viability gradually decreased with the increase of concentration (r 24 h=-0.9841, r 48 h=-0.9970). The level of ROS was increased (When the concentration was 10 µmol/L, P <0.001), while the expression of GPX4 protein was decreased in the process of 0, 5, 10 µmol/L sorafenib-induced K562 cell death (P <0.05), and the decrease in GPX4 protein could be partially reversed by pretreatment with ferroptosis inhibitor (P <0.05). Compared with NC group and NC-Sorafenib group, the expression of GPX4 protein was significantly decreased (both P <0.05), while HMGB1 protein was significantly increased (both P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib can induce ferroptosis in K562 cells, and this process can be promoted by UVRAG.

Effect of Jiawei Tongqiao Huoxue decoction in basilar artery dolichoectasia mice through yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Jiawei Tongqiao Huoxue decoction (JTHD), composed of Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Conioselinum anthriscoides 'Chuanxiong', Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Carthamus tinctorius L., Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Leiurus quinquestriatus, and Moschus berezovskii Flerov, was developed based on Tongqiao Huoxue decoction in Wang Qingren's "Yilin Gaicuo" in the Qing Dynasty. It has the effect of improving not only the blood flow velocity of vertebral and basilar arteries but also the blood flow parameters and wall shear stress. Especially in recent years, the potential efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of basilar artery dolichoectasia (BAD) has attracted great attention as there are still no specific remedies for this disease. However, its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. To identify the potential mechanisms of JTHD will help to intervene BAD and provide a reference for its clinical application. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to establish a mouse model of BAD and explore the mechanism of JTHD regulating yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) pathway for attenuating BAD mice development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty post-modeling C57/BL6 female mice were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, atorvastatin calcium tablet, low-dose JTHD, and high-dose JTHD groups. After 14 days of modeling, the pharmacological intervention was given for 2 months. Then, JTHD was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). ELISA was utilized to detect the changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and lipoprotein a (Lp-a) in serum. EVG staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of blood vessels. TUNEL method was employed to detect the apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Micro-CT and ImagePro Plus software were used to observe and calculate the tortuosity index, lengthening index, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and tortuosity of the basilar artery vessels in mice. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression levels of YAP and TAZ proteins in the vascular tissues of mice. RESULTS: Many effective compounds such as choline, tryptophan, and leucine with anti-inflammation and vascular remodeling were identified in the Chinese medicine formula by LC-MS analysis. The serum levels of VEGF in the model mice decreased significantly while the levels of Lp-a increased obviously compared with those in the sham-operated group. The intima-media of the basilar artery wall showed severe disruption of the internal elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes of the connective tissue. Apoptosis of VSMCs added. Dilatation, elongation, and tortuosity of the basilar artery became notable, and tortuosity index, lengthening index, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and bending angle remarkably improved. The expression levels of YAP and TAZ protein in blood vessels elevated conspicuously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). JTHD group markedly reduced the lengthening, bending angle, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and tortuosity index of basilar artery compared with the model group after 2 months of pharmacological intervention. The group also decreased the secretion of Lp-a and increased the content of VEGF. It inhibited the destruction of the internal elastic layer, muscular atrophy, and hyaline degeneration of connective tissue in basilar artery wall. The apoptosis of VSMCs was decreased, and the expression levels of YAP and TAZ proteins were abated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of inhibition of basilar artery elongation, dilation, and tortuosity by JTHD, which has various anti-BAD effective compound components, may be related to the reduction in VSMCs apoptosis and downregulation of YAP/TAZ pathway expression.

[Effect of Silencing UVRAG on Mitophagy in Leukemia Cells K562].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of UVRAG on mitophagy in leukemia cells K562. METHODS: K562 cells were induced with different concentrations of mitophagy inducer carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) for 6, 12 and 24 hours, and the cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay. K562 cells were divided into NC, UVRAG-siRNA, UVRAG-siRNA+CCCP, and CCCP group, while Western blot was used to detect the expression of UVRAG protein. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial structural integrity. The expressions of autophagy related proteins P62 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with NC group, the expression of UVRAG protein in UVRAG -siRNA group significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with CCCP group, in UVRAG -siRNA+CCCP group ROS, mitochondrial structure damage, and the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of P62 protein increased (P<0.05). Compared with NC group, the differences in the expressions of P62 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein, ROS, and mitochondrial structural integrity in UVRAG -siRNA group were not obvious (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Under the treatment of CCCP, silencing UVRAG can inhibit mitophagy in K562 cells.

[The newly reported HIV/AIDS cases and death of HIV cases from 2008 to 2009 in Henan province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the situation and cause of new reported HIV/AIDS cases and death of HIV cases in Henan province from 2008 to 2009. METHODS: The data of HIV/AIDS cases in Henan province before the end of 2009 was downloaded from "the history card downloading site" of the national online case reporting system on Jan. 5(th), 2010. There were 6990 HIV/AIDS new cases reported from 2008 to 2009, and 1214 cases died. Descriptive study was implemented including population characteristics of new reported HIV/AIDS cases and dead cases from 2008 to 2009. Survival time and cause of death were analyzed. RESULTS: Among all the dead cases, the Han nationality accounted for 99.0% (1202 cases), and males were more than females (62.0% (753 cases) vs 38.0% (461 cases)), 64.7% (786 cases) were married, those under junior high school education level accounted for 93.7% (1137 cases), AIDS patients accounted for 93.2% (1131 cases) and 6.8% (83 cases) were HIV carriers; 65.5% (795 cases) were former plasma donors and transfusion blood/blood produces. The main cause of death were AIDS-related diseases, the proportion was 71.9% (873 cases). The median survival time after confirmed HIV positive was 62 days (Q(L) = 14 d, Q(U) = 151 d), 35.9% (436 cases) cases died in one month and 79.0% (959 cases) cases died in six months after confirmed HIV positive. CONCLUSION: The newly reported dead cases of HIV/AIDS were mainly infected through former plasma donation and transfusion blood/blood produces in 2008 and 2009. The main cause of death was AIDS-related diseases.

[Effect of micronutrients on the immune status of human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of micronutrients on the immune status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. METHODS: Totally 102 HIV-positive individuals were randomly divided into supplementation group (received micronutrients supplement) and control group (received placebo). Physical examinations were performed at baseline and at the end of the trial. Immune status were determined in both two groups. RESULTS: Age, height, weight, and sex ratio were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). Baseline CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes and IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 levels were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05), while the levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes and IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 were significantly higher in supplementation group than in control group(all P0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of micronutrients can improve the immune status of HIV-positives individuals.

GDF15 promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by phosphorylating AKT1 and Erk1/2 through the receptor ErbB2.

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the TGF-ß superfamily, and evidence suggests that a substantial amount of GDF15 is secreted in various human cancers, such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, among others. However, the function of GDF15 in cervical cancer has not yet been reported. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect GDF15 expression in normal cervix and in different cervical cancer lesions. Cell growth curves, MTT, tumor formation assays and flow cytometry were utilized to observe the effects of ectopic GDF15 expression on the proliferation and cell cycle of cervical cancer cells. Real-time PCR, western blotting and immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to measure the expression of genes related to the cell cycle and the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to confirm whether C-myc bound to a specific region of the GDF15 promoter. Inhibitor treatment and immunoprecipitation assays were employed to identify the association between GDF15 and ErbB2. RESULTS: GDF15 expression gradually increased during the progression of cervical carcinogenesis. GDF15 promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation via exogenous rhGDF15 treatment or the use of gene editing technology in vitro and in vivo and significantly accelerated the cell cycle transition from G0/G1 to S phase. The expression of p-ErbB2, p-AKT1, p-Erk1/2, CyclinD1 and CyclinE1 was up-regulated and the expression of p21 was down-regulated in GDF15-overexpressing and rhGDF15-treated cervical cancer cells. C-myc trans-activated GDF15 expression by binding to the E-box motifs in the promoter of GDF15 and contributed to the positive feedback of GDF15/C-myc/GDF15. Furthermore, GDF15 bound to ErbB2 in a protein complex in cervical cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that GDF15 promoted the proliferation of cervical cancer cells via the up-regulation of CyclinD1 and CyclinE1 and the down-regulation of p21 through both the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways in a complex with ErbB2.

Effect of Dandelion Extracts on the Proliferation of Ovarian Granulosa Cells and Expression of Hormone Receptors.

BACKGROUND: In the current society, infertility related to age has become a social problem. The in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rate in women with poor ovarian response (POR) is very low. Dandelion extract T-1 (DE-T1) is an effective component of the extract from the leaves and stems of Taraxacum officinale, which is one of the medicines used in some patients with POR, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. METHODS: Following IVF, ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of sixty patients were extracted and divided into normal ovarian response (NOR) and POR groups. GCs were cultured in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner with DE-T1, proliferation of GCs was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), luteotropic hormone receptor (LHR), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), LHR, and CYP19A1 (aromatase) were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Progesterone and estradiol (E2) concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The cell viability gradually increased with the progressive increase in the DE-T1 concentration. Compared with the control group (without DE-T1), the mRNA expressions of FSHR, LHR, IGF-1R, and CYP19A1 were upregulated after the addition of DE-T1, especially in the 2.5% DE-T1 group (P < 0.01). The expression of IGF-1R was upregulated approximately 25 times (24.97 ± 4.02 times) in the POR group with 2.5% DE-T1. E2 and progesterone levels increased with the increasing DE-T1 concentration. There were highly significant differences in the E2 and progesterone secretion between the NOR and POR groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DE-T1 may promote steroid hormone synthesis by promoting GC proliferation and upregulating GC receptor expression, thereby improving ovarian endocrine function.

Epidemiological investigation of risk factors of the pregnant women with early spontaneous abortion in Beijing.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of the pregnant women with early spontaneous abortion in Beijing. METHODS: A total of 34,417 cases of pregnant women were participated in the survey from January 2000 to December 2013. A questionnaire was informed to each woman. The content of questionnaire includes four parts: general condition, obstetrical history, past history and family history, and living environment and habits. The mental condition was evaluated with Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). RESULTS: A total of 32,296 questionnaires were collected. The spontaneous abortion rate in the total sample was 3.0%. There was no significant difference between the normal pregnancy group and spontaneous abortion group in terms of general condition, obstetrical and past history (P>0.05). Significant differences between the two groups were found in terms of decoration during pregnancy, keeping pets, near mobile communication base station within 100 m around the residence, drinking during pregnancy, having a cold during pregnancy and SAS (P<0.05). Having a cold during pregnancy, decoration during pregnancy, near mobile communication base station within 100 m around the residence, keeping pets and high SAS were determined the independent risk factors of spontaneous abortion by Logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Having a cold during pregnancy, decoration, keeping pets, near mobile communication base station within 100 m around the residence and high SAS are the independent risk factors of spontaneous abortion in Beijing.

Hydrogen-rich Water Exerting a Protective Effect on Ovarian Reserve Function in a Mouse Model of Immune Premature Ovarian Failure Induced by Zona Pellucida 3.

BACKGROUND: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disease that affects female fertility but has few effective treatments. Ovarian reserve function plays an important role in female fertility. Recent studies have reported that hydrogen can protect male fertility. Therefore, we explored the potential protective effect of hydrogen-rich water on ovarian reserve function through a mouse immune POF model. METHODS: To set up immune POF model, fifty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control (mice consumed normal water, n = 10), hydrogen (mice consumed hydrogen-rich water, n = 10), model (mice were immunized with zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 [ZP3] and consumed normal water, n = 15), and model-hydrogen (mice were immunized with ZP3 and consumed hydrogen-rich water, n = 15) groups. After 5 weeks, mice were sacrificed. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, granulosa cell (GC) apoptotic index (AI), B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and BCL2-associated X protein (Bax) expression were examined. Analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software. RESULTS: Immune POF model, model group exhibited markedly reduced serum AMH levels compared with those of the control group (5.41 ± 0.91 ng/ml vs. 16.23 ± 1.97 ng/ml, P = 0.033) and the hydrogen group (19.65 ± 7.82 ng/ml, P = 0.006). The model-hydrogen group displayed significantly higher AMH concentrations compared with that of the model group (15.03 ± 2.75 ng/ml vs. 5.41 ± 0.91 ng/ml, P = 0.021). The GC AI was significantly higher in the model group (21.30 ± 1.74%) than those in the control (7.06 ± 0.27%), hydrogen (5.17 ± 0.41%), and model-hydrogen groups (11.24 ± 0.58%) (all P < 0.001). The GC AI was significantly higher in the model-hydrogen group compared with that of the hydrogen group (11.24 ± 0.58% vs. 5.17 ± 0.41%, P = 0.021). Compared with those of the model group, ovarian tissue Bcl-2 levels increased (2.18 ± 0.30 vs. 3.01 ± 0.33, P = 0.045) and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased in the model-hydrogen group. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen-rich water may improve serum AMH levels and reduce ovarian GC apoptosis in a mouse immune POF model induced by ZP3.

Aneuploidy in Early Miscarriage and its Related Factors.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors are the main cause of early miscarriage. This study aimed to investigate aneuploidy in spontaneous abortion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y chromosomes. METHODS: A total of 840 chorionic samples from spontaneous abortion were collected and examined by FISH. We analyzed the incidence and type of abnormal cases and sex ratio in the samples. We also analyzed the relationship between the rate of aneuploidy and parental age, the rate of aneuploidy between recurrent abortion and sporadic abortion, the difference in incidence of aneuploidy between samples from previous artificial abortion and those from no previous induced abortion. RESULTS: A total of 832 samples were finally analyzed. 368 (44.23%) were abnormal, in which 84.24% (310/368) were aneuploidies and 15.76% (58/368) were polyploidies. The first was trisomy 16 (121/310), followed by trisomy 22, and X monosomy. There was no significant difference in the rate of aneuploidy in the advanced maternal age group (≥ 35 years old) and young maternal age group (<35 years old). However, the rate of trisomy 22 and the total rate of trisomies 21, 13, and 18 (the number of trisomy 21 plus trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 together) showed significantly different in two groups. We found no skewed sex ratio. There was no significant difference in the rate of aneuploidy between recurrent miscarriage and sporadic abortion or between the samples from previous artificial abortion and those from no previous artificial abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Aneuploidy is a principal factor of miscarriage and total parental age is a risk factor. There is no skewed sex ratio in spontaneous abortion. There is also no difference in the rate of aneuploidy between recurrent abortion and sporadic abortion or between previous artificial abortion and no previous induced abortion.

[Clinical research of genetic counseling].

To supply reliable materials for the assessment of recurrence risk,prenatal diagnosis and the supervision of high risk persons,we analyzed 10811 patients with the methods of cytogenetics,fluorescent in situ hybridization and molecular genetic PCR methods. The result of cytogenetics:there were 555 abnormal karyotypes of peripheral blood on 5390 cases (10.30%);In 2171 patients who asked for prenatal diagnosis,145 abnormal karyotypes were found (6.68%);We also karyotyped chorionic villous cells of 62 patients with spontaneous abortion and found 28 abnormal karyotypes (45.16%). The PCR results of 23 patients with Down's syndrome were all positive while the results of 155 normal persons were all negative. The method of cytogenetics is very important for diagnosis of abnormal karyotypes;Molecular genetic methods by PCR and FISH are quick,convenient and applicable way.

Testosterone regulates keratin 33B expression in rat penis growth through androgen receptor signaling.

Androgen therapy is the mainstay of treatment for the hypogonadotropic hypogonadal micropenis because it obviously enhances penis growth in prepubescent microphallic patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of androgen treatment leading to penis growth are still largely unknown. To clarify this well-known phenomenon, we successfully generated a castrated male Sprague Dawley rat model at puberty followed by testosterone administration. Interestingly, compared with the control group, testosterone treatment stimulated a dose-dependent increase of penis weight, length, and width in castrated rats accompanied with a dramatic recovery of the pathological changes of the penis. Mechanistically, testosterone administration substantially increased the expression of androgen receptor (AR) protein. Increased AR protein in the penis could subsequently initiate transcription of its target genes, including keratin 33B (Krt33b). Importantly, we demonstrated that KRT33B is generally expressed in the rat penis and that most KRT33B expression is cytoplasmic. Furthermore, AR could directly modulate its expression by binding to a putative androgen response element sequence of the Krt33b promoter. Overall, this study reveals a novel mechanism facilitating penis growth after testosterone treatment in precastrated prepubescent animals, in which androgen enhances the expression of AR protein as well as its target genes, such as Krt33b.

Relationships among androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism, sex hormones and penile length in Han adult men from China: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the correlations among androgen receptor (AR) CAG repeat polymorphism, sex hormones and penile length in healthy Chinese young adult men. Two hundred and fifty-three healthy men (aged 22.8 ± 3.1 years) were enrolled. The individuals were grouped as CAG short (CAG S ) if they harbored repeat length of ≤ 20 or as CAG long (CAG L ) if their CAG repeat length was >20. Body height/weight, penile length and other parameters were examined and recorded by the specified physicians; CAG repeat polymorphism was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method; and the serum levels of the sex hormones were detected by radioimmunoassay. Student's t-test or linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations among AR CAG repeat polymorphism, sex hormones and penile length. This investigation showed that the serum total testosterone (T) level was positively associated with the AR CAG repeat length (P = 0.01); whereas, no significant correlation of T or AR CAG repeat polymorphism with the penile length was found (P = 0.593). Interestingly, an inverse association was observed between serum prolactin (PRL) levels and penile length by linear regression analyses (ß= -0.024, P = 0.039, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.047, 0). Collectively, this study provides the first evidence that serum PRL, but not T or AR CAG repeat polymorphism, is correlated with penile length in the Han adult population from northwestern China.

Correlation between HPV sperm infection and male infertility.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases which comprises a group of small DNA viruses that infect both cutaneous and mucous squamous epithelia. Liquid bead microarray technology (LBMA) were used to evaluate 24 HPV genotypes in confirmed fertile and infertile males of North China so that the effects of HPV infection on semen parameters and relationship with male infertility could be discussed. A total of 1138 subjects were recruited in this study; 142 were HPV-positive (12.48%). Among 523 confirmed fertile males, only 35 were HPV-positive (6.70%), and two of them had multiple infections. Among 615 infertile males, 107 were HPV-positive (17.4%), and 29 of them had multiple infections. Infertile males had a relatively high HPV infection rate compared with confirmed fertile males. Sperm progressive motility (PR) and the normal morphology rate were significantly decreased in HPV-positive subjects. HPV-45, HPV-52, HPV-18, HPV-59 and HPV-16 infections were more frequently in infertile males. Hence, HPV infection is closely related to male infertility which will decrease sperm PR and morphology. HPV-45, HPV-52, HPV-18, HPV-59 and HPV-16 infection seems to be major risk factors.

[Risk factors associated with malnutrition of infants exposed to HIV in Henan province, 2010-2012].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the malnutrition status of infants exposed to HIV in rural areas of Henan province and related risk factors. METHODS: Z scores of weight for age, height for age and weight for height of infants exposed to HIV in rural areas of Henan province born in 2010-2012 were calculated at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age. Z scores were used to evaluate the nutrition status of infants under study. Data regarding the pregnant women and infants were collected and analyzed by non-conditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven infants were surveyed in which 125 were HIV negative and 32 were HIV positive. The incidence rates of underweight, athrepsia and growth retardation of HIV-negative infants were 8.8%, 16.8% and 30.4%, respectively. The incidence rates of underweight, athrepsia and growth retardation among the HIV-positive infants were 15.0%, 30.0% and 41.7%, respectively. Anemia in pregnancy (RR = 2.05, 95% CI:1.15-3.66), low count of CD(4)(+)T leuko-monocyte (RR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.18-1.74), status of complementary feeding before 4 months old (RR = 1.96, 95% CI:1.40-2.74) might serve as the risk factors related to the situation. Infants received antiviral treatment (RR = 0.14, 95% CI:0.02-1.04), normal birth weight (RR = 0.08, 95%CI:0.04-0.15) might serve as the protective factors. CONCLUSION: The malnutrition incidence was high among those infants younger than 18 months exposed to HIV in rural area of Henan province. Essential health services such as antenatal care, artificial feeding and growth monitoring for infants and pregnant infants should be provided to prevent malnutrition among these sub-populations.

[Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Henan province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Henan province. METHODS: Multistage sampling was used to investigate a group of 1-75 year-old general population, living in 30 districts of 18 cities, Henan province. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-HCV and hepatitis C virus(HCV), from April to July 2012. RESULTS: 32 203 persons were investigated. Among the general population aged 1 to 75 years old, the overall prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were 0.64% and 0.35% respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV among males and females were 0.60%, and 0.68% respectively, with the rates of HCV RNA as 0.37%, and 0.33% respectively. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA were increasing with age. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV and HCV RNA in urban area were 0.58% and 0.32%, and in rural area as 0.41%, and 0.19% respectively. CONCLUSION: After the implementation of comprehensive measures for HCV control and prevention, Henan province became low prevalent for HCV infection. Our data revealed that the overall prevalence remained low, but the epidemic was severe in some geographical regions in Henan province.