Combined Use of Shear Wave Elastography, Microvascular Doppler Ultrasound Technique, and BI-RADS for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Breast Masses.

Objective: To evaluate the value of the combined use of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), qualitative shear wave elastography (SWE), and AngioPLUS microvascular Doppler ultrasound technique (AP) for distinguishing benign and malignant breast masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 pathologically confirmed breast lesions in 210 patients were reviewed using BI-RADS, qualitative SWE, and AP. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of BI-RADS and the combination of qualitative SWE and/or AP with BI-RADS were compared, respectively. Results: Compared with using BI-RADS alone, the use of combined qualitative SWE and/or AP with BI-RADS had higher AUC values (P < 0.001). Besides this, the combination of qualitative SWE and AP with BI-RADS had the best diagnostic performance for differentiating between benign and malignant masses. When AP and SWE were combined with BI-RADS, 49/76 benign masses were downgraded from BI-RADS category 4a into BI-RADS category 3, while no benign masses were upgraded from BI-RADS category 3 into BI-RADS category 4a. Three sub-centimeter malignant masses were downgraded from BI-RADS category 4a into BI-RADS category 3, while three malignant masses remain in BI-RADS category 3 due to a benign manifestation in both AP and qualitative SWE. Moreover, 5/6 of them were sub-centimeter masses, and 4/6 of them were intraductal carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC were 91.0%, 81.1%, 69.3%, 95.1%, 84.3%, and 0.861 (95% confidence interval, 0.806-0.916; P < 0.001), respectively. Compared with BI-RADS alone, the sensitivity slightly decreased, while the specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were significantly improved. Conclusion: Combination of qualitative SWE and AP with BI-RADS improved the diagnostic performance in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions, which is helpful for avoiding unnecessary biopsies. However, we should be careful about the downgrading of sub-centimeter BI-RADS 4a category lesions.

Evaluation of an ischemic model in ischemia prone and general Mongolian gerbils by neurological symptom, injury, and sex difference.

BACKGROUND: In the previous study, we established an ischemia-prone gerbil population (IG), which was selectively bred to increase the incidence of unilateral carotid arterial occlusion (UCO)-induced ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. However, if the characteristics of ischemia model in IG are the same as those in general gerbils (GG), and if the neurological symptoms are associated with the neurological insults in IG is still unclear. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated the UCO model in IG by analyzing neurological symptoms, neurological injury in the hippocampal CA1 region and compared with GG. RESULTS: The data showed that the ratios of neurological symptom scores ≥ 2 in the IG and GG groups were 65.0% vs 30.0%, respectively, and were significantly different (P < .01).The neuronal damage following a UCO ischemic insult in the IG group was more severe compared to the GG group. There was a high correlation between the neurological insults' scale and the neurological symptom score in the IG and GG groups (r = .979 and .943 in the IG and GG groups, respectively). In animals with mild neurological symptom scores (2 and 3), the neuronal insults were significantly different between female and male gerbils in both IG and GG. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that IG population would likely be more advantageous to establish an ischemic model.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Tamarisk gerbil, Meriones tamariscinus (Rodentia: Muridae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Tamarisk jird, Meriones tamariscinus, was sequenced. The 16,389bp genome contains 37 genes, typical for rodent mitogenomes, including 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 13 protein-coding genes. The total GC content of the mitochondrial genome is 36.8%, with a base composition of 34.0% A, 24.5% C, 12.3% G, and 29.2% T. The phylogenetic analysis showed that M. tamariscinus was classified in the genus Meriones, Muridae.

A randomized, controlled, multicenter contraceptive efficacy clinical trial of the intravas device, a nonocclusive surgical male sterilization.

Because of unavoidable complications of vasectomy, this study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of male sterilization with a nonobstructive intravas device (IVD) implanted into the vas lumen by a mini-surgical method compared with no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). IVDs were categorized into two types: IVD-B has a tail used for fixing to the vas deferens (fixed wing) whereas IVD-A does not. A multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in China. The study was comprised of 1459 male volunteers seeking vasectomy who were randomly assigned to the IVD-A (n = 487), IVD-B (n = 485) or NSV (n = 487) groups and underwent operation. Follow-up included visits at the 3 rd -6 th and 12 th postoperative months. The assessments of the subjects involved regular physical examinations (including general and andrological examinations) and semen analysis. The subjects' partners also underwent monitoring for pregnancy by monthly interviews regarding menstruation and if necessary, urine tests. There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates (0.65% for IVD-A, 0 for IVD-B and 0.21% for NSV) among the three groups (P > 0.05). The cumulative rates of complications at the 12 th postoperative month were zero, 0.9% and 1.7% in the three groups, respectively. In conclusion, IVD male sterilization exhibits a low risk of long-term adverse events and was found to be effective as a male sterilization method, similar to the NSV technique. IVD male sterilization is expected to be a novel contraceptive method.

[Significance of myc gene rearrangement and its correlation with prognosis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between myc gene rearrangement and myc protein expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and their correlation with prognosis. METHODS: One hundred and six cases of DLBCLs with follow-up data were analyzed using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Immunophenotyping analysis for CD20, CD3, myc, Mum-1, CD10, bcl-6 was also performed using EnVision immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The percentages of tumor cells expressing myc, Mum-1, CD10 and bcl-6 were 70.8%, 56.6%, 21.7% and 26.4%, respectively. Twenty six cases (24.5%) were of GCB type and the rest (75.5%) were of non-GCB (non germinal center) type. The myc rearrangement was identified in 13 (12.3%) of 106 cases. 13 cases showed to be of non-GCB type. There was no correlation between myc rearrangement and myc protein expression. DLBCLs (n = 13) with myc rearrangement showed significantly poorer overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), with a median OS and PFS time of 4.7 and 3.2 months, respectively (for OS and PFS, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard model confirmed that myc rearrangement, ECOG performance status of 2-4, immunophenotyping subgroup and myc protein were independent factors affecting the prognosis and significantly associated with the survival. However, myc rearrangement was the strongest prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: DLBCL with myc gene rearrangement is a subgroup of non-GCB DLBCL with poor outcome. It is an independent and useful factor for prognosis in DLBCL. Expression of myc is influenced by many factors and myc rearrangement may be one of these factors.

[Semen analysis training and its evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the methods for training green-hand laboratorians in standard semen analysis and evaluating the training results, and afford some reference for internal quality control and training in andrology laboratories in China. METHODS: We trained the green-hand technicians in standard semen analysis recommended by WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th ed), and evaluated the training results by assessing the trainees' performance in the examination of sperm concentration and motility by statistic analysis. RESULTS: After training, the coefficients of variation of the semen samples with high, middle and low sperm concentration achieved by the trainees were 7.72% and 3.38% and 4.49%, and those with high, middle and high motility were 7.82%, 8.09% and 6.62%, respectively. We used Bland-Altman's method to evaluate the consistency between the results obtained by the trainees and those by the trainers. For sperm concentration, 4.77% of the datum points were out of the 95% consistency interval, and the absolute value of the biggest difference between the trainees and trainers was 8 x 10(6)/ml within the 95% consistency interval. For sperm motility, 7.15% of the data points were out of the 95% consistency interval, and the absolute value of the biggest difference between the trainees and trainers was 10% within the 95% consistency interval. Two-way analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the results of sperm concentration and motility analyses between the trainees and trainers (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Training in standard semen analysis significantly improved the precision of semen analysis among the green-hand laboratorians. The training and assessment methods we established proved to be effective and feasible.

Clinical significance and prognosis of MYC translocation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Recent studies have suggested that chromosomal aberrations of the MYC gene locus indicate an unfavorable prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, there have been few reports on MYC translocation in Chinese patients. One hundred and six cases of DLBCLs were analyzed using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization. Immunophenotyping analysis (CD20, CD3, CD10, Bcl-6, Mum-1) was also performed. MYC translocation was identified in 13 (12.3%) out of 106 cases. All MYC(+) DLBCLs showed a non-germinal center B-cell type. MYC(+) DLBCLs showed significantly poorer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival, with a median OS and progression-free survival time of 4.7 and 3.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model confirmed that MYC(+) (for OS, Hazards ratio 5.254; 95% CI, 2.354-11.723, p < 0.001) was the strongest independent predictor. DLBCL with MYC translocation is a subgroup of non-germinal center B-cell DLBCL with poor outcome. This may be a clinical characteristic that is specific to Chinese patients. Because only a few patients received rituximab, its usefulness could not be assessed. Future studies with larger numbers of patients are required.

[Significance of CD138 in immunohistochemical profiles and its correlation with prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to classify the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into different prognostic subgroups according to four different detection methods of the expression of CD138, CD10, bcl-6, and MUM1. In particular to investigate the significance of CD138 in immunohistochemical profiles and its correlation with prognosis in DLBCL. METHODS: Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the expression of CD138, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 in 106 cases of DLBCL and reconstructed into four different subtyping algorithms. Algorithm-1, according to the expression of CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1, the cases were assigned to GCB and non-GCB groups. Algorithm-2, according to the expression of CD138, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1, the cases were assigned to A, B, C, D groups. Algorithm-3, according to the expression of CD10 and MUM1, the cases were assigned to GCB and non-GCB groups. Algorithm-4, according to the expression of CD138, CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1, the cases were assigned to GCB and non-GCB groups. Following up was included as well. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 13.0 and differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: CD138, MUM1, CD10 and bcl-6 were positive in 15.1% (16/106), 56.6% (60/106), 21.7 (23/106) and 26.4% (28/106), respectively. The expression of CD10 and bcl-6 was associated with favorable OS (P = 0.001 and 0.041, respectively), whereas the expression of CD138 was associated with unfavorable OS (P = 0.003). Using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, algorithm-1 and -4 were almost at the same level for prognosis of OS (OR = 0.259, 0.255) and PFS (OR = 0.248, 0.244). CONCLUSIONS: Both Hans's algorithm and Colombo's algorithm including CD138 detection are associated with the prognosis of DLBCL patients. The two algorithms have similar OR value according to Cox analysis. However, positive expression of CD138 is of minor significance in prediction of the prognosis in DLBCL patients.

[Effects of abnormal structure of sperm chromatin on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of sperm chromatin structure abnormalities on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging defects were assessed in 136 couples undergoing IVF-ET because of infertility. The relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging defects and fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy was evaluated. RESULTS: Both sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging defect had a negative correlation with fertilization rate (r=-0.198, P<0.05, and r=-0.389, P<0.01, respectively). Both parameters were higher in couples who failed to achieve pregnancy than those who achieved clinical pregnancy (10.74% vs. 5.40%, P<0.01 and 23.58% vs. 11.83%, P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Abnormality of sperm chromatin structure is one of the reasons for IVF-ET failure. Examination of sperm chromatin structure is helpful in predicting the risk of IVF-ET failure and optimizing treatment of infertility.

Characteristics of circle of Willis variations in the mongolian gerbil and a newly established ischemia-prone gerbil group.

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) have an incomplete circle of Willis (CoW), as a result of which approximately 30-40% of these animals develop focal cerebral ischemia after unilateral carotid occlusion (UCO). There are four types of patterns of the anterior and posterior communicating arteries (ACoAs and PCoAs, respectively) of the CoW and they determine the severity of the ischemic symptoms. We used 398 gerbils from five generations, including a selectively bred ischemia-prone group, to investigate post-UCO ischemic symptoms and possible correlations of ACoA and PCoA patterns between parents and their progeny. We observed that if the parents had complete ACoAs, their progeny also had complete ACoAs, and we found significant differences when the parents' ACoAs were incomplete: in 60.4% of offspring the type of ACoA was consistent with that of the mother and in 48.2% it was consistent with that of the father. The severity of the neurological symptoms after UCO was significantly related to the patterns of the ACoAs when PCoAs were absent. The proportion of UCO ischemia in gerbils with incomplete ACoAs was significantly higher than in those with complete ACoAs. After selectively breeding five generations, the proportion of UCO ischemia increased from 40% in the F1 animals to 75% in the F5 animals. Our results suggest that variations in the CoW are genetic and demonstrate that we successfully established an ischemia-prone group of gerbils.

[A prevalence survey of infertility in Beijing, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of infertility and its risk factors in the fertile-age couples of Beijing, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on the prevalence and risk factors was conducted from July 2007 to May 2008 in 7 Beijing districts. The districts were subdivided into the administrative units of "communities". A total of 33 communities were sampled and households selected randomly within each community. Of 5862 couples (women aged 20 - 49 years) who were eligible for an interview, 5632 (96.07%) provided information in relation to all the questionnaire questions. The other couples did not participate because they were not at home for the interview, or became incapacitated, refused or others. The trained interviewers administered a detailed questionnaire to each study couple at their home, collecting the relevant information about contraception, sexual practices, marriage and a complete pregnancy history. The definition of infertility in the study was "a noncontracepting couple who want another child or a child if childless tried to conceive for at least 2 years" following the WHO recommendation([c2]). The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP). RESULTS: A total of 97 couples were classified as infertile. And the total prevalence of infertility in 7 Beijing districts was 1.72%. The standardized prevalence of infertility was 2.1%. 57 (58.76%) couples were classified as of primary infertility and 40 (41.24%) of secondary infertility. So the prevalence of primary and secondary infertilities were 1.01% and 0.71% respectively. In women, the prevalence of infertility was the highest in the age group of 20 - 29 (3.13%) and the lowest in the age group of 40 - 49 (1.38%). The prevalence rate of infertility in the women whose marriage age were younger than 20 years or elder than 29 years of age was apparently higher than those of the 20 - 29 years old. The risk factors of infertility were tuberculosis (TB), endometriosis (EM) and pelvic infection disease (PID). CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of infertility declines with age in women. Both EM and PID are the risk factors for infertility.

Clinical Impact of t(14;18) in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that t(14;18) is present in a significant proportion of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). However, the prognostic significance of this translocation and its relationship with BCL-2 protein expression remains controversial. Our study aimed to investigate the predictive power of t(14;18) and BCL-2 protein expression in the prognosis of DLBCLs. METHODS: Biopsy specimens from 106 DLBCLs were analyzed using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Immunophenotypic analysis of CD20, CD3, CD10, BCL-6, MUM1 and BCL-2 was performed by immunohistochemistry. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The t(14;18) was identified in 27 of 106 cases (25.5%). The percentages of tumor cells expressing CD10, BCL-6, MUM1 and BCL-2 were 21.7%, 26.4%, 56.6% and 73.6%, respectively. The presence of this translocation was significantly correlated with the expression of CD10 and immunophenotypic subtype (p<0.001). No association was observed between BCL-2 protein expression and the presence of t(14;18). Multivariate analysis confirmed that both t(14;18) and BCL-2 expression were significantly associated with survival. Moreover, patients with t(14;18) had worse prognosis, compared with those with BCL-2 expression (for overall survival: hazard ratio, 4.235; 95%CI, 2.153-8.329, p<0.001 vs. hazard ration, 2.743; 95%CI, 1.262-5.962, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The t(14;18) is a useful prognostic tool for the evaluation of DLBCL immunophenotype and prognosis. The prognosis of GCB (germinal centre-like B cell) DLBCL patients should be made with the consideration of the presence of this translocation, and the detection of t(14;18) should be included as a routine diagnostic test in these cases.

Sperm chromatin anomalies have an adverse effect on the outcome of conventional in vitro fertilization: a study with strictly controlled external factors.

Conflicting conclusions present in earlier studies on the relationship between sperm chromatin anomalies and outcome of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) may result from confounding by poorly controlled external factors. We examined the relationship of sperm chromatin parameters and outcome of conventional IVF while strictly controlling external factors.

[Exogenous DNA influencing fertilization of goat sperm cells and expression in early embryos].

Our early study found that goat spermatozoa could spontaneously take up foreign DNA and vary in capabilities of spermatozoa from different donors to bind and internalize exogenous DNA. In this study, three goats with considerable differences of capability were used to investigate the effect of exogenous DNA on goat spermatozoa, and feasibility and efficiency of transgenic embryo production by sperm-mediated gene transfer method. The viability, acrosomal reaction frequencies and cleavages were decreased in the groups co-cultured with exogenous DNA, compared with the control groups, and the range of decrease was correlated with the capability of sperm cells up-take foreign DNA. After fertilizing with co-cultured spermatozoa, GFP gene was introduced into oocytes and expressed in early embryos. However, different efficiencies of transgenic embryos appeared in sperm donors (P<0.05). GFP gene was detected in 16.2% (25/154), 5.3% (4/76), and 0% (0/36) embryos, respectively, when high, middle and low capability of sperm donors were used. But only 6.5% (10/154) embryos from high capability sperm donor expressed GFP. Our results demonstrate that selecting high capability of sperm donor is a key step for improving efficiency of sperm mediated-gene transfer method. However, the adverse influence of foreign DNA on spermatozoa needs to be further studied.

[Changes of semen parameters in Chinese fertile men in the past 25 years].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the changes of seminal parameters in Chinese fertile men during the past 25 years. METHODS: We collected semen samples from 5,834 fertile men in 14 different provinces (including Beijing) between 1980 and 2005 and retrospectively studied their seminal parameters, abstinence durations and total testis volumes by meta-analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the first 15 years, a significant decrease was observed in both sperm density and total number of sperm per ejaculate in the semen samples collected between 1996-2000 (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05), but not obvious in those between 1996-2000 and after 2005 (P > 0.05). As for sperm motility, no time-related changes were noted (P > 0.05) except a reduction with the increase of age. CONCLUSION: There was a decline in sperm density and total number of sperm per ejaculate in Chinese fertile men over the past 25 years, although not significant in the latter 10 years since 1996, but with no time-related changes in sperm motility.

[Microsatellite DNA monitoring in inbred cultivation of outbred rats].

Microsatellite DNA was used to monitor the gene inheritance of successive generations of rats. It is useful in selective breeding to quickly bring genes to homozygosity and to shorten the cultivation periods of new inbreeding of rats. Thirty microsatellite DNA loci were PCR amplified to analyze the DNA polymorphism in generational crosses between the outbred Wistar and SD rats. Rats in F generations with a moderate to high coefficient of similarity with the female F0 SD rats were crossed. All loci in the F2 generation were heterozygous and polymorphic. By F9, 27 loci have become homozygotic, with a homozygosity rate of 90%. The coefficient of similarity tended to increase at a rate of 6%-20% with each successive generation. Skin grafting confirmed no rejection among the F9 generation of rats. Therefore we have established a novel method for rapid cultivation of inbred rats.

[Prevalence of lymphoma subtypes in Shanxi according to latest WHO classification].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of lymphoma subtypes in Shanxi according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification, and to compare the figures with those in other parts of the world. METHODS: The hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of 447 lymphoma cases from the archive files of Shanxi Tumor Hospital were reviewed. Immunohistochemical study was performed using a panel of antibodies, including ALK1, bcl-6, CD (1a, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, 23, 30, 43, 56, 68, 79a and 99), cyclin D1, EMA, IgD, kappa, lambda, LMP1, PAX5, TdT and Vs38C. In addition, in-situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) was carried out. All cases were then reclassified according to the latest WHO classification of lymphoma. RESULTS: Of the 447 cases studied, 385 cases (86.1%) were confirmed to be non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), while 62 cases (13.9%) belonged to classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Of the NHL cases, 68.3% were of B-cell lineage and 30.6% were of T and/or NK-cell lineage. Histiocytic neoplasm accounted for only 0.8% (3 cases). As for the subtyping of NHL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was commonest (35.1%), followed by peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS (12.0%), extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) (11.7%), follicular lymphoma (8.6%), T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (7.0%), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (4.2%), B-small lymphocytic lymphoma (3.6%) and mantle cell lymphoma (2.6%). Amongst the 263 cases of B-cell lymphoma, 105 cases (39.9%) expressed immunoglobulin light chain (kappa in 52 cases and lambda in 53 cases) in paraffin sections. Regarding markers for EB virus infection, 14 cases of the B-cell lymphoma gave positive findings with both EBER in-situ hybridization and LMP-1 immunohistochemistry, while 6 of the T/NK-cell lymphoma expressed LMP-1 and 19 showed positive signals for EBER. In NHL, there was discordance in EBER in-situ hybridization and LMP-1 immunohistochemical results. As for HL, EB virus positivity was noted in 37 of the 62 cases (59.7%), including 7 cases of lymphocyte-rich HL, 11 cases of mixed cellularity HL and 19 cases of nodular sclerosis HL. In classic HL, there was complete concordance of results by both EBER in-situ hybridization and LMP-1 immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Shanxi is similar to that in America, Australia, Japan and Korea. The incidence of follicular lymphoma however is much lower than America and Australia.

[The relationship between changes of serum antisperm antibodies before and post vasovasostomy and pregnancy rate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and variation of serum antisperm antibodies (AsAb) from the men who received vasovasostomy 2 years after one of three methods of male sterilization, and evaluate the relationship between serum AsAb and pregnancy rate. METHODS: Sperm reappearance, serum AsAb and pregnancy rate were investigated in 88 subjects who underwent reversal operation 2 years after one of three methods of male sterilization at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post vasovasostomy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in positive rate of AsAb among groups of vasovasostomized men post one of three methods of sterilization, and between groups before and post vasovasostomy and between groups with and without sperm reappearance, respectively. The positive rate, intensity (percentage of motile sperm coated with beads) and type of serum AsAb had no influences on pregnancy. No significant difference was observed in positive rate of AsAb between pregnant group and non-pregnant group. The pregnancy rate of the group in which sperm concentration was more than 20 x 10(6)/ml was apparently higher than that of the group in which sperm concentration was less than 20 x 10(6)/ml. CONCLUSION: The serum AsAb and their positive rate can not be eliminated or decreased by vasovasostomy post male sterilization. The serum AsAb has no influence on pregnancy. There is a close relationship between sperm quality and pregnancy post vasovasostomy.

[The effect of fermentation conditions on glycosylation of recombinant human interferon omega in yeast Pichia pastoris].

To investigate the influence of the fermentation conditions on glycosylation of heterologous recombinant protein in yeast Pichia pastoris, the glycosylation of recombinant human interferon omega (rhIFNomega) under various fermentation conditions, e. g., cell density, initial pH, methanol concentration, duration of the induction, and medium volume were studied. The glycosylation of rhIFNomega in the continuous fermentation process under various pH values and in batch fermentation were also investigated. In 250 mL flask, the optimal cell density, initial pH, medium volume, methanol concentration and frequency of methanol induction were 250 g/L (WCW), pH6.0, less than 30 mL, 15 g/L and 3 (in every 24 h), respectively. In the continuous process, the glycosylation of rhIFNomega could be effectively improved by maintaining the pH value at 7.0-7.5. In the batch fermentation process, the expression level of glycosylated and non-glycosylated rhIFNomega were the same, but the specified value of glycosylation/non-glycosylation was significantly lower than that in the flask culture. The reason of this phenomenon will be further studied. This research lay the foundation for the scale-up of production and the enhancement of rhIFNomega glycosylation in Pichia pastoris.

[Analyzing genetic quality of BALB/c mouse strains in China by microsatellite marking].

Eleven BALB/c mouse strains of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Haerbin, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Changchun were monitored in order to assure the genetic quality of inbred BALB/c mouse strains in China and to estimate the credibility of microsatllite markers. Fourteen microsatellites loci on different chromosomes were investigated by PCR analysis. It showed that all these microsatellites DNA loci displayed single allelic gene band in mouse strains of Beijing, Shanghai and Haerbin. But the mice came from Shenyang, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Changchun had polymorphisms or heterozygosis, among which the Shenyang and Changchun strains showed polymorphisms and heterozygosis at two separate loci. Four loci showed polymorphisms or heterozygosis in one of the Guangzhou mouse strains. The Chongqing strains showed polymorphisms and heterozygosis at seven loci, including the D10Mit180 locus as compared with the Shanghai strains.