We are very glad to see that the Asian Journal of Andrology published a Special Issue on Semen Analysis in 21st Century Medicine, which well revealed some behind-the-scene controversies of the 5th edition of the WHO l...We are very glad to see that the Asian Journal of Andrology published a Special Issue on Semen Analysis in 21st Century Medicine, which well revealed some behind-the-scene controversies of the 5th edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen [1]. Three articles from the special issue, two on the reference values of semen parameters [2, 3] and another presenting the investigation results of 118 laboratories performing semen analysis in China's Mainland [4], are very thoughtprovoking and we would like to share some of our views on these topics.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality.Humanβ-defensin-1(hBD-1)may play an integral function in the innate immune system,contributing to the recognition and destruction of canc...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality.Humanβ-defensin-1(hBD-1)may play an integral function in the innate immune system,contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.AIM To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.METHODS CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration.Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation.Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway.Additionally,p-mTOR(Ser2448),Beclin1,and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.RESULTS hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells,as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1.hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR(Ser2448)protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein.Furthermore,bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs(2 upregulated and 5 downregulated)related to the mTOR pathway.The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected.Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506,exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR(Ser2448)and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.CONCLUSION hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.展开更多
This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone （T） levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome （MS） in 3332 adul...This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone （T） levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome （MS） in 3332 adult Chinese men. The prevalence of MS was 34.7%, and men with MS had lower serum levels of total T （TT） and SHBG than those without MS （P 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference in serum free T （FT） levels between subjects with and without MS （P = 0.627）. In logistic regression analysis, the association between MS and serum SHBG levels persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index （BMI）, smoking and drinking status, and serum TT （odds ratio [OR] 0.962, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.954-0.969, P 〈 0.01）. However, the association between serum TT level and the risk of MS was weak after adjusting for age, BMI, SHBG level, and smoking and drinking status （OR 0,981, 95% CI 0.960-1.007）. Our study reveals that both serum TT and SHBG levels, but not serum FT, are inversely associated with the prevalence of MS and that serum SHBG is an independent and dominant risk factor for MS.This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone （T） levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome （MS） in 3332 adult Chinese men. The prevalence of MS was 34.7%, and men with MS had lower serum levels of total T （TT） and SHBG than those without MS （P 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference in serum free T （FT） levels between subjects with and without MS （P = 0.627）. In logistic regression analysis, the association between MS and serum SHBG levels persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index （BMI）, smoking and drinking status, and serum TT （odds ratio [OR] 0.962, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.954-0.969, P〈 0.01）. However, the association between serum TT level and the risk of MS was weak after adjusting for age, BMI, SHBG level, and 展开更多
Dear Editor,Semen analysis is a basic test to assess male fertility and is a fundamental test in assisted reproductive technology.From the first publication of World Health Organization(WHO)Laboratory Manual of Human ...Dear Editor,Semen analysis is a basic test to assess male fertility and is a fundamental test in assisted reproductive technology.From the first publication of World Health Organization(WHO)Laboratory Manual of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction in 1980,to the publication of the WHO Manual,6th edition in 2021,these 40 years have been recognized as providing a global standard that is widely used in research and clinical laboratories worldwide.The WHO Manual,6th edition in Chinese,which we have been authorized by the WHO to translate,will be published soon.展开更多
Approximately 31%of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome(22q11.2DS)have genitourinary system disorders and 6%of them have undescended testes.Haploinsufficiency of genes on chromosome 22q11.2 might contribute to the...Approximately 31%of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome(22q11.2DS)have genitourinary system disorders and 6%of them have undescended testes.Haploinsufficiency of genes on chromosome 22q11.2 might contribute to the risk of 22q11.2DS.In this study,we used mice with single-allele deletion in mitochondrial ribosomal protein L4o(Mrpl40-)as models to investigate the function of Mrpl40 in testes and spermatozoa development.The penetrance of cryptorchidism in Mrpl40+-mice was found to be higher than that in wild-type(WT)counterparts.Although the weight of testes was not significantly different between the WT and Mrpl40+-mice,the structure of seminiferous tubules and mitochondrial morphology was altered in the Mrpl40+-mice.Moreover,the concentration and motility of spermatozoa were significantly decreased in the Mrpl4O+-mice.In addition,data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry indicated that the expression of genes associated with male infertility was altered in Mrpl40+-testes.Our study demonstrated the important role of Mrpl40 in testicular structure and spermatozoa motility and count.These findings suggest that Mrpl4o is potentially a novel therapeutic target for cryptorchidism and decreased motility and count of spermatozoa.展开更多
The quality, quantity, and consistency of the knowledge used in GO-playing programs often determine their strengths, and automatic acquisition of large amounts of high-quality and consistent GO knowledge is crucial fo...The quality, quantity, and consistency of the knowledge used in GO-playing programs often determine their strengths, and automatic acquisition of large amounts of high-quality and consistent GO knowledge is crucial for successful GO playing. In a previous article of this subject, we have presented an algorithm for efficient and automatic acquisition of spatial patterns of GO as well as their frequency of occurrence from game records. In this article, we present two algorithms, one for efficient and automatic acquisition of pairs of spatial patterns that appear jointly in a local context, and the other for deter- mining whether the joint pattern appearances are of certain significance statistically and not just a coincidence. Results of the two algorithms include 1 779 966 pairs of spatial patterns acquired automatically from 16 067 game records of professsional GO players, of which about 99.8% are qualified as pattern collocations with a statistical confidence of 99.5% or higher.展开更多
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...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 3rd-6TM and 12~ 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 12th 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.展开更多
We propose a scheme of quantum computation with nonlinear quantum optics. Polarization states of photons are used for qubits. Photons with different frequencies represent different qubits. Single qubit rotation operat...We propose a scheme of quantum computation with nonlinear quantum optics. Polarization states of photons are used for qubits. Photons with different frequencies represent different qubits. Single qubit rotation operation is implemented through optical elements like the Faraday polarization rotator. Photons are separated into different optical paths, or merged into a single optical path using dichromatic mirrors. The controlled-NOT gate between two qubits is implemented by the proper combination of parametric up and down conversions. This scheme has the following features： （1） No auxiliary qubits are required in the controlled-NOT gate operation; （2） No measurement is required in the course of the computation; （3） It is resource efficient and conceptually simple.展开更多
文摘We are very glad to see that the Asian Journal of Andrology published a Special Issue on Semen Analysis in 21st Century Medicine, which well revealed some behind-the-scene controversies of the 5th edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen [1]. Three articles from the special issue, two on the reference values of semen parameters [2, 3] and another presenting the investigation results of 118 laboratories performing semen analysis in China's Mainland [4], are very thoughtprovoking and we would like to share some of our views on these topics.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82360329Inner Mongolia Medical University General Project,No.YKD2023MS047Inner Mongolia Health Commission Science and Technology Plan Project,No.202201275.
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality.Humanβ-defensin-1(hBD-1)may play an integral function in the innate immune system,contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.AIM To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.METHODS CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration.Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation.Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway.Additionally,p-mTOR(Ser2448),Beclin1,and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.RESULTS hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells,as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1.hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR(Ser2448)protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein.Furthermore,bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs(2 upregulated and 5 downregulated)related to the mTOR pathway.The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected.Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506,exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR(Ser2448)and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.CONCLUSION hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.
文摘This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone （T） levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome （MS） in 3332 adult Chinese men. The prevalence of MS was 34.7%, and men with MS had lower serum levels of total T （TT） and SHBG than those without MS （P 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference in serum free T （FT） levels between subjects with and without MS （P = 0.627）. In logistic regression analysis, the association between MS and serum SHBG levels persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index （BMI）, smoking and drinking status, and serum TT （odds ratio [OR] 0.962, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.954-0.969, P 〈 0.01）. However, the association between serum TT level and the risk of MS was weak after adjusting for age, BMI, SHBG level, and smoking and drinking status （OR 0,981, 95% CI 0.960-1.007）. Our study reveals that both serum TT and SHBG levels, but not serum FT, are inversely associated with the prevalence of MS and that serum SHBG is an independent and dominant risk factor for MS.This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone （T） levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome （MS） in 3332 adult Chinese men. The prevalence of MS was 34.7%, and men with MS had lower serum levels of total T （TT） and SHBG than those without MS （P 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference in serum free T （FT） levels between subjects with and without MS （P = 0.627）. In logistic regression analysis, the association between MS and serum SHBG levels persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index （BMI）, smoking and drinking status, and serum TT （odds ratio [OR] 0.962, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.954-0.969, P〈 0.01）. However, the association between serum TT level and the risk of MS was weak after adjusting for age, BMI, SHBG level, and
基金supported by Nonprofit Central Research Institute Fund of National Research Institute for Family Planning(2022GJM02 and 2022GJZD01).
文摘Dear Editor,Semen analysis is a basic test to assess male fertility and is a fundamental test in assisted reproductive technology.From the first publication of World Health Organization(WHO)Laboratory Manual of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction in 1980,to the publication of the WHO Manual,6th edition in 2021,these 40 years have been recognized as providing a global standard that is widely used in research and clinical laboratories worldwide.The WHO Manual,6th edition in Chinese,which we have been authorized by the WHO to translate,will be published soon.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81803116 and No.32001072)Open Project Fund from NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health/National Research Institute for Family Planning(2022GJP0102)+1 种基金Non-profit Central Research Institute Fund of National Research Institute For Family Planing(2022GJM02)Start-up Fund(Q410800320)from Soochow University.
文摘Approximately 31%of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome(22q11.2DS)have genitourinary system disorders and 6%of them have undescended testes.Haploinsufficiency of genes on chromosome 22q11.2 might contribute to the risk of 22q11.2DS.In this study,we used mice with single-allele deletion in mitochondrial ribosomal protein L4o(Mrpl40-)as models to investigate the function of Mrpl40 in testes and spermatozoa development.The penetrance of cryptorchidism in Mrpl40+-mice was found to be higher than that in wild-type(WT)counterparts.Although the weight of testes was not significantly different between the WT and Mrpl40+-mice,the structure of seminiferous tubules and mitochondrial morphology was altered in the Mrpl40+-mice.Moreover,the concentration and motility of spermatozoa were significantly decreased in the Mrpl4O+-mice.In addition,data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry indicated that the expression of genes associated with male infertility was altered in Mrpl40+-testes.Our study demonstrated the important role of Mrpl40 in testicular structure and spermatozoa motility and count.These findings suggest that Mrpl4o is potentially a novel therapeutic target for cryptorchidism and decreased motility and count of spermatozoa.
文摘The quality, quantity, and consistency of the knowledge used in GO-playing programs often determine their strengths, and automatic acquisition of large amounts of high-quality and consistent GO knowledge is crucial for successful GO playing. In a previous article of this subject, we have presented an algorithm for efficient and automatic acquisition of spatial patterns of GO as well as their frequency of occurrence from game records. In this article, we present two algorithms, one for efficient and automatic acquisition of pairs of spatial patterns that appear jointly in a local context, and the other for deter- mining whether the joint pattern appearances are of certain significance statistically and not just a coincidence. Results of the two algorithms include 1 779 966 pairs of spatial patterns acquired automatically from 16 067 game records of professsional GO players, of which about 99.8% are qualified as pattern collocations with a statistical confidence of 99.5% or higher.
文摘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 3rd-6TM and 12~ 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 12th 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.
基金The project supported by the National Fundamental Research Program under Grant No.2006CB921106National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.10325521 and 10390160
文摘We propose a scheme of quantum computation with nonlinear quantum optics. Polarization states of photons are used for qubits. Photons with different frequencies represent different qubits. Single qubit rotation operation is implemented through optical elements like the Faraday polarization rotator. Photons are separated into different optical paths, or merged into a single optical path using dichromatic mirrors. The controlled-NOT gate between two qubits is implemented by the proper combination of parametric up and down conversions. This scheme has the following features： （1） No auxiliary qubits are required in the controlled-NOT gate operation; （2） No measurement is required in the course of the computation; （3） It is resource efficient and conceptually simple.
