Effects of male hepatitis B virus infection and serostatus on sperm quality, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes following intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of male hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and serostatus on sperm quality, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes following intrauterine insemination for infertility. DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 962 infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination treatment at a single center. The case group comprised 212 infertile couples with male HBV infection, and the control group comprised 750 noninfected infertile couples. The couples were further divided into subgroups according to their hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/anti-HBe status: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)+HBeAg- (group A), HBsAg+HBeAg+ (group B), and HBsAg-HBeAg- (control group). The main outcome parameters, including the seminal parameters, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, preterm delivery rate, multiple pregnancy rate, delivery type, birth weight, and sex ratio, were compared. RESULTS: A lower sperm acrosin activity, higher cesarean rate, and newborn sex ratio were observed in the HBV-infected group and group A in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). However, the standard sperm parameters, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, preterm delivery, and birth weight showed no statistically significant differences among the groups. CONCLUSION: Male HBV infection does not adversely impact standard sperm parameters or pregnancy outcomes but can influence sperm acrosin activity and some neonatal outcomes. Moreover, the effect may vary among different HBV serostatuses.

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Evaluating the Mild Cognitive Impairment of Occupational Aluminum Workers.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) can distinguish mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from normal controls (NC) in aluminum (Al)-exposed workers, and to explore the association of DKI with cognitive performance and plasma Al concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 patients with MCI and 25 NC at Al factory were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and DKI scans. The mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (Ka), radial kurtosis (Kr), mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) parameters of the hippocampus, substantia nigra, red nucleus, thalamus, anterior cingulate gyrus, genu and crus of the corpus callosum, frontal, parietal and temporal lobe were measured. To compare the parameters between the two groups, the Mann-Whitney rank sum test was used. The correlation of parameter values with cognitive performance and plasma Al concentration was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Z-scores were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, the MK, Ka, Kr, and FA values in the MCI group were significantly decreased, and the MD values were significantly increased (p<0.05). For the diagnosis of MCI, MK in the right hippocampus showed the largest AUC (0.924). The MK, Kr, MD and FA values were correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and MK values in the right hippocampus showed the greatest correlation with MoCA scores (r=0.744, p <0.001). Plasma Al in the MCI group was higher than that in the NC group, although there was no significant difference in plasma Al between the two groups (p=0.057). There was no correlation between DKI parameters and plasma Al. CONCLUSION: The DKI method might be a sensitive imaging biomarker to discriminate MCI from NC, and could preliminarily assess the severity of cognitive impairment in Al-exposed workers. MK in the right hippocampus appeared to be the best independent predictor. The mechanism of cognitive decline is an important content of aluminum exposure research. This study indicates that the DKI technique could provide valuable information for the diagnosis of MCI.

Regulating Li-ion flux with a high-dielectric hybrid artificial SEI for stable Li metal anodes.

The interface regulation of lithium metal anodes (LMAs) is considered one of the most critical issues in the pursuit of high energy density for lithium metal batteries. As a key physical characteristic, the dielectric feature of the interface overlayer decides the electric field and charge-current distribution within the interface region and directly influences the Li deposition behavior of LMAs. Herein, a high-dielectric artificial solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) is designed to regulate the electric field distribution and Li+ flux and stabilize the interface in LMAs. In the hybrid organic-inorganic polydopamine (PDA)-SiO2 artificial SEI, the enhanced dielectric permittivity by inorganic SiO2 has important effects in preventing current variation, guiding uniform current/potential distribution and homogenizing the Li+ flux within the SEI interface, thus achieving uniform Li plating, while the high elasticity, strong Li affinity and lithiophilic/hydrophilic property of PDA can suppress Li dendrite growth and stabilize the SEI structure over long cycles. These multi-functional properties of the artificial SEI for LMAs can achieve remarkable cycling in both the symmetric cell configuration (2800 h at 5 mA cm-2 with 1 mA h cm-2) and LiCoO2||Li full cells. Our work provides a physical point-of-view of the novel configuration of the artificial SEI for stable LMAs and can be extended to the protection of other alkali metal anodes.

Association of TGF-ß1 polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis C infection: a Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although several researches have reported the connection between the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) gene polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the conclusions of these studies were not always consistent. Here, this paper proposed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether the TGF-ß1 gene polymorphisms, -509C/T (rs1800469), codon 10 T/C (rs1982073) and codon 25G/C (rs1800471), were associated with chronic HCV infection. METHODS: The summary odds ratios (ORs) of chronic HCV infected patients and controls with all SNPs were obtained by adaptive fixed or random effect model. A series of statistical tools were employed to guarantee the accuracy of related pooling ORs, including the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) test, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test. RESULTS: This paper analyzed 18 case-control studies in 17 articles which totally contains 2718 chronic HCV infection cases corresponding to 1964 controls. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the -509C/T polymorphism effected an increased risk of chronic HCV infection in all gene models. More specifically by ethnicity stratification, the Egyptians shared the similar association with the above overall study. Moreover, the meta-fusion of healthy control studies showed that - 509 T allele carriers (TT + TA) had nearly 2.00 and 3.36 fold higher risk of chronic HCV infection in the total and Egyptian populations, respectively (OR = 2.004, 95% CI = 1.138-3.528, P = 0.016; OR = 3.363, 95% CI = 1.477-7.655, P = 0.004, respectively). However, our meta-analysis did not find any significant association between the codon 10 T/C or codon 25G/C polymorphisms and chronic HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that the TGF-ß1-509C/T polymorphism may effect an increased risk of chronic HCV infection, especially in Egyptian population.

Efficacy and safety of rasagiline in Chinese patients with early Parkinson's disease: a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study.

BACKGROUND: Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor used for Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment, but its effectiveness on Chinese patients is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rasagiline monotherapy in Chinese patients with early PD. METHODS: A 26-weeks, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study has been performed at 15 sites in China and enrolled outpatients (≥35 years old) with idiopathic PD without a history of using any dopaminergic drugs. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive rasagiline 1 mg once daily or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total score from baseline to 26 weeks treatment. Secondary endpoints included changes in UPDRS subscale scores from part I to III. Health status was assessed with the PD Questionnaire (PDQ)-39 and EuroQol-Five-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Safety profile was collected until 30 weeks after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients (n = 65/group) were recruited, and 127 (rasagiline, n = 64; placebo, n = 63) were included in the full analysis set. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The decrease in the mean UPDRS total score was greater in the rasagiline group than in the placebo group (- 3.18 ± 0.95 vs. - 0.18 ± 0.98, P = 0.025), and the mean UPDRS part I non-motor symptoms score (- 0.54 ± 0.15 vs. -0.08 ± 0.15, P = 0.003) were significantly decreased in the rasagiline group compared with placebo treated patients. An improvement trend was observed in the active treatment group for the subscales evaluation with parts II and III, while the difference to placebo was not statistically significant. Life quality assessed by the EQ-5D visual analog scale improved in the rasagiline group but worsened in placebo treated patients. The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) was slightly lower in the rasagiline group (41.5%) than in the placebo group (46.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Rasagiline is effective, safe, and well tolerated as monotherapy for the treatment of Chinese PD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01556165. Registered 13 Mar 2012.

Adjunct rasagiline to treat Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations: a randomized, double-blind study in China.

BACKGROUND: The use of adjunct rasagiline in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations is supported by findings from large-scale clinical studies. This study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of adjunct rasagiline in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease, as a product registration study. METHODS: This 16-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, placebo-controlled study of rasagiline 1 mg/day included levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change from baseline in total daily OFF time over 16 weeks. Secondary endpoints were Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I), and change in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Activities of daily living (ADL) and Motor scores. Patient well-being (EQ-5D), and the frequency of adverse events were also assessed. RESULTS: In total, 324 levodopa-treated patients were randomized to rasagiline 1 mg/day (n = 165) or placebo (n = 159). Over 16 weeks, rasagiline statistically significantly reduced the mean [95% confidence interval] total daily OFF time versus placebo (- 0.5 h [- 0.92, - 0.07]; p = 0.023). There were also statistically significant improvements versus placebo in CGI-I (- 0.4 points [- 0.61, - 0.22]; p < 0.001), UPDRS-ADL OFF (- 1.0 points [- 1.75, - 0.27]; p = 0.008), and UPDRS-Motor ON (- 1.6 points [- 3.05, - 0.14]; p = 0.032) scores, as well as the EQ-5D utility index (p < 0.05). Rasagiline was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: In levodopa-treated Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations, adjunct rasagiline 1 mg/day statistically significantly reduced OFF time, and improved daily function and overall well-being, versus placebo. Consistent with findings in other countries, adjunct rasagiline was proven efficacious and well tolerated in Chinese patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01479530. Registered 22 November 2011.

Transforming growth factor-ß1 gene polymorphisms with liver cirrhosis risk: A meta-analysis.

Although several epidemiological studies have investigated the association of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to liver cirrhosis (LC), controversial results exist. Consequently, we performed a meta-analysis to accurately evaluate the relationship of TGF-ß1-509C/T and codon 10T/C polymorphisms with the risk of LC introduced by chronic hepatitis B/V virus (HBV/HCV) infection. A total of 9 case-control studies, involving 985 LC patients and 909 controls, were recruited for meta-analysis. The results suggested a significant association between the -509C/T polymorphism and LC risk in the total population. Stratification by ethnicity revealed similar associations in Egyptian and Caucasian populations, but not in Asian populations. Subgroup analyses by different etiologies also showed similar associations in HCV-induced LC, but not in HBV-induced LC. However, the overall data failed to show a significant association between codon 10T/C polymorphism and the risk of LC in the study. We concluded that TGF-ß1-509C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with LC susceptibility, while the codon 10T/C polymorphism seemed to have a limited role in predicting the occurrence of LC induced by HBV/HCV infection.

Influence of IL10 Gene polymorphisms on the sustained virologic response of patients with chronic hepatitis C to PEG-interferon/ribavirin therapy.

There are accurate but inconclusive data on the association of interleukin (IL) 10 polymorphisms with sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the effects of IL10 gene polymorphisms (-1082G/A, -819C/T, -592C/A) and their haplotypes on SVR in CHC patients receiving pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-a) plus ribavirin. Literature search was conducted up to Jan., 2016, in PubMed, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science electronic databases. Statistical analyses were performed by STATA11.0 software, with odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 14 studies involving 1687 CHC cases met the inclusion criteria. Analyses were stratified either by ethnicity or genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The results indicated that IL10-1082A/G was associated with a significantly decreased SVR rate based on the heterozygous model (OR: 0.662, 95% CI: 0.467-0.938) and dominant model (OR: 0.648, 95% CI: 0.440-0.955). Similar results were found in the Egyptian and HCV-4 genotype in all gene models except the recessive model. Moreover, we observed that IL10-819T allele carriers was associated with a significantly increased SVR in the Caucasian population (OR: 1.380, 95% CI: 1.018-1.871). However, we did not detect any significant association of the -592C/A polymorphism or haplotypes with SVR in the total or subgroup populations. In conclusion, IL10-1082GG genotype and -1082G allele were associated with decreased SVR rate in CHC patients, especially for the Egyptian and HCV-4 genotype. Moreover, IL10-819T allele was more likely to get SVR in the Caucasian population.

Influence of IL10 gene polymorphisms on the severity of liver fibrosis and susceptibility to liver cirrhosis in HBV/HCV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies about the association of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms with the progression of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis susceptibility in chronic hepatitis B/C (CHB/C) disease were inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis was to derive a more precise estimation of the association. METHODS: We searched Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science electronic databases using the following key words: liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, IL10, and polymorphism. Statistical analyses were performed by STATA11.0 software, with odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: 12 independent studies in relation to IL10-1082A/G, -819C/T and -592C/A polymorphisms were included in our study, which consisted of 197 moderate/severe liver fibrosis cases and 426 mild fibrosis controls as well as 536 liver cirrhosis cases and 881 non-cirrhosis controls. The results indicated that a significantly decreased risk of moderate/severe fibrosis was associated with the GCC haplotype (IL10-1082G, -819C and -592C) in the overall CHB/C patients (OR: 0.547, 95% CI: 0.317-0.946, P=0.031). We did not detect any significant association between these polymorphisms and liver cirrhosis susceptibility in the total population or a subgroup of Asians. However, subgroup analyses by different aetiologies showed that the -819T heterozygotes (TC) were associated with a significantly increased risk of HCV-related liver cirrhosis in the Japanese population (OR: 1.254, 95% CI: 1.033-1.522, P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The putative high IL-10 production haplotype GCC is more likely to be associated with less severe liver fibrosis in CHB/C patients. Additionally, the IL10-819T allele may be a susceptible factor for HCV-related liver cirrhosis in the Japanese population.

[Efficacy and safety of ropinirole in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind and bromocriptine-controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of ropinirole in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: From November 2005 to April 2007, a total of 221 subjects from 7 hospitals of Beijing, Lanzhou and Wuhan participated in a 12-week multi-center, randomized, bromocriptine-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy and parallel-group trial. The efficacy of ropinirole was assessed with the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) score, "off" time according to the patient's diary and the overall evolution of clinical efficacy. The safety was assessed on the basis of adverse events, blood pressure, pulse, laboratory measurement and electrocardiographic recordings. And the statistical analyses were performed with t, paired t, χ(2) and covariance tests. RESULTS: In the intent-to-treat population, the average UPDRSIII score decreased to (11 ± 9) in ropinirole group and (11 ± 10) in bromocriptine group while the UPDRSIIscore decreased to (4 ± 4) and (3 ± 5) respectively at Week 12 versus baseline. It showed that ropinirole was non-inferior to bromocriptine. The "off" time at Week 12 [(3.0 ± 1.2)h, (3.8 ± 1.6)h] versus baseline [(4.2 ± 2.0)h, (4.4 ± 1.7)h] decreased (t = 10.772, t = 5.746, P = 0.000) in ropinirole and bromocriptine groups. Ropinirole offered a better overall improvement rate (q = 7.241, P = 0.007). The adverse events occurring at a ratio of over 5% caused by ropinirole included orthostatic hypotension, nausea, dizziness, upper abdominal discomfort, insomnia and palpitation. No significant difference existed in the frequency of adverse events between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ropinirole is both effective and safe in the treatment of Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease.

[Significance of sympathetic skin response in diagnosis diabetic small fiber neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of sympathetic skin response (SSR) in the diagnosis of diabetic small fiber neuropathy. METHODS: 38 diabetic patients with paraesthesia and 30 healthy controls underwent SSR test on the 4 limbs. The latencies of the initiation and waves N and P of SSR were analyzed. The results of nerve conduction velocities of these patients with paraesthesia were normal. RESULTS: The latencies of the initiation and waves N or P in SSR were prolonged in 37 limbs of the 38 patients, and there was no SSR response in 21 limbs. The latencies of the initiation and waves N and P of SSR test in both upper extremity and lower extremities were prolonged significantly in the diabetic patients as compared to the controls (all P < 0.05). The frequency of abnormality in the latency of SSR was 51% in the lower extremities, and 38% in the upper extremities. The frequency of abnormal latency of SSR in the lower extremities was higher, however, not significantly, than that in the upper extremities (P > 0.05). Twenty-eight of the 38 patients (74%) demonstrated abnormal SSR in at least one limbs. CONCLUSION: SSR can be used to detect the early dysfunction of the small fibers in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, especially in the diabetic patients with normal nerve conduction velocities. SSR test may be a useful and sensitive neuroelectrophysiologic testing for the early diagnosis of diabetic small fiber neuropathy.

Pathogenesis and electrodiagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Cubital tunnel syndrome is a well-recognized clinical condition and is the second most common peripheral compression neuropathy. This study was designed to investigate the causes of cubital tunnel syndrome by surgical means and to assess the clinical value of the neurophysiological diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (involving a total of 22 limbs from 16 men and 5 women, aged 22 to 63, with a mean age of 49 years) with clinical symptoms and signs indicating a problem with their ulnar nerve underwent motor conduction velocity examinations at different sites along the ulnar nerve and examinations of sensory conduction velocity in the hand, before undergoing anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. RESULTS: Electromyographic abnormalities were seen in 21 of 22 limbs [motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) range (15.9 - 47.5) m/s, mean 32.7 m/s] who underwent motor conduction velocity examinations across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve. Reduced velocity was observed in 13 of 22 limbs [MCV (15.7 - 59.6) m/s, mean 40.4 m/s] undergoing MCV tests in the forearms. An absent or abnormal sensory nerve action potential following stimulation was detected in the little finger of 14 of 22 limbs. The factors responsible for ulnar compression based on observations made during surgery were as follows: 15 cases involved compression by arcuate ligaments, muscle tendons, or bone hyperplasia; 2 involved fibrous adhesion; 3 involved compression by the venous plexus or a concurrent thick vein; 2 involved compression by cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Factors inducing cubital tunnel syndrome include both common factors that have been reported and rare factors, involving the venous plexus, thick veins, and cysts. Tests of motor conduction velocity at different sites along the ulnar nerve should be helpful in diagnosis cubital tunnel syndrome, especially MCV tests indicating decreased velocity across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve.

Value of sympathetic skin response test in the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic neuropathy is common in diabetes mellitus. The early stage of diabetic neuropathy is often symptomless and difficult to be treated. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the results of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) test and the development of diabetic neuropathy, and explore the use of SSR as an objective basis for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: The latencies and amplitudes of initiation and of the N and P waves were determined by SSR testing of the extremities of 80 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: The latencies of initiation and of the N and P waves were significantly (P <0.001) longer in diabetic patients than in the controls, while there was no significant difference in the amplitudes (P >0.05). All but two patients (97.5%) demonstrated abnormal SSR in at least one limb. CONCLUSIONS: SSR can detect early dysfunction of the small sympathetic fibers in people affected by diabetes mellitus, and may be a useful electrophysiological test for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.