The reference values for semen parameters of 1213 fertile men in Guangdong Province in China

Semen samples were collected from 1213 fertile men whose partners had a time-to-pregnancy (TTP) ≤12 months in Guangdong Province in Southern China, and semen parameters including semen volume, sperm concentration, total counts, motility, and morphology were evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guideline. All semen parameters analyzed were normal in ~62.2% of the total samples, whereas ~37.8% showed at least one of the semen parameters below normal threshold values. The fifth centiles (with 95% confidence intervals) were 1.3 (1.2–1.5) ml for semen volume, 20 × 10⁶ (18×10⁶–20×10⁶) ml⁻¹ for sperm concentration, 40 × 10⁶ (38×10⁶–44×10⁶) per ejaculate for total sperm counts, 48% (47%–53%) for vitality, 39% (36%–43%) for total motility, 25% (23%–27%) for sperm progressive motility, 5.0% (4%–5%) for normal morphology. The pH values ranged from 7.2 to 8.0 with the mean ± standard deviation at 7.32 ± 0.17. No effects of age and body mass index were found on semen parameters. Occupation, smoking and alcohol abuse, varicocele appeared to decrease semen quality. Sperm concentration, but not sperm morphology, is positively correlated with TTP, whereas vitality is negatively correlated with TTP. Our study provides the latest reference values for the semen parameters of Chinese fertile men in Guangdong Province, which are close to those described in the new WHO guidelines (5^th Edition).     

Serum lipid profiles: novel biomarkers predicting advanced prostate cancer in patients receiving radical prostatectomy

This study aimed to evaluate the role of serum lipid profiles as novel biomarkers in predicting pathological characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa). We retrospectively analyzed 322 consecutive patients with clinically localized PCa receiving radical prostatectomy (RP) and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the prostatectomy Gleason score (pGS), pathological stage and lymph node involvement (LNI) in RP specimens. Preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, biopsy GS (bGS), and preoperative tumor, node, metastasis staging were used as basic variables to predict postoperative pathological characteristics. Preoperative serum lipid profiles were introduced as potential predictors. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine predictive efficacy. Significant differences in pathological characteristics were observed among patients with normal and abnormal total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with the exception of pGS in the TG group. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio for high levels of TC for LNI compared with normal TC levels was 6.386 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.510–27.010), 3.270 (95% CI: 1.470–7.278) for high levels of TG for pT3–4 disease, and 2.670 (95% CI: 1.134–6.287) for high levels of LDL for pGS. The area under the ROC curve of the models with dyslipidemia was larger than that in models without dyslipidemia, in predicting pathological characteristics. Abnormal TC, TG, and LDL levels are significantly associated with postoperative pathological status in PCa patients. Together with preoperative PSA levels, bGS, and clinical stage, dyslipidemia is more accurate in predicting pathological characteristics.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses T3SS to inhibit diabetic wound healing

Diabetic foot ulcers are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes. Bacterial infection is recognized as an important factor associated with impaired healing in diabetic ulcers. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequently detected Gram‐negative pathogen in diabetic ulcers. P. aeruginosa infection has been shown to impair healing in diabetic wounds in a manner that correlates with its ability to form biofilm. While the majority of infections in diabetic ulcers are biofilm associated, 33% of infections are nonbiofilm in nature. P. aeruginosa is the most prevalent Gram‐negative pathogen in all diabetic wound types, which suggests that the deleterious impact of P. aeruginosa on healing in diabetic wounds goes beyond its ability to form biofilm and likely involves other factors. The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) virulence structure is required for the pathogenesis of all P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, suggesting that it may also play a role in the inhibition of wound repair in diabetic skin ulcers. We evaluated the role of T3SS in mediating P. aeruginosa–induced tissue damage in the wounds of diabetic mice. Our data demonstrate that P. aeruginosa establishes a robust and persistent infection in diabetic wounds independent of its ability to form biofilm and causes severe wound damage in a manner that primarily depends on its T3SS.     

综合ICU腹泻现状调查及危险因素分析

目的：：探讨 ICU患者入院2周内腹泻的流行病学特点并分析其危险因素。方法：283例我院综合ICU 2013年10月-2014年8月收住的患者纳入研究。记录患者一般资料及肠内营养情况、药物使用情况,应用多元及多层统计学方法分析腹泻危险因素。结果：共283例患者、1603个 ICU住院日纳入研究。42例(15%)患者出现腹泻,共计88个ICU住院日,发生率为5.5次/百ICU住院日。腹泻平均发生在入住ICU后第6天,89%的患者(252例)腹泻天数小于4 d。腹泻的危险因素包括：超过60%目标营养量的肠内营养、使用抗生素和使用抗真菌药物[相对风险分别为1.75、3.64和2.79]。超过60%目标营养量的肠内营养合并应用抗生素或抗真菌药物[相对风险分别为4.7和11.2]腹泻风险较单因素大幅增加。结论：在综合 ICU入住后前2周内腹泻发生率为15%,导致腹泻发生的危险因素为超量(>60%目标营养量)使用肠内营养、使用抗生素和/或使用抗真菌药物。     

Perioperative corticosteroids administration as a risk factor for pressure ulcers in cardiovascular surgical patients: a retrospective study

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perioperative corticosteroids administration and the incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) in cardiovascular surgical patients. A retrospective analysis was performed on data from consecutive patients who had cardiac surgery in 2012. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between perioperative corticosteroid administration and the incidence of surgery‐related PU (SRPU). A total of 286 cardiac surgery patients were included in this study; of these, 47 patients developed 57 SRPUs, an incidence of 16·4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 12·3–21·2%). The SRPU incidence was significantly higher in corticosteroid‐administered group compared with groups not receiving corticosteroids (43·8% versus 14·8%, Pearson's χ² = 9·209, P = 0·002). The crude odds ratio (OR) was 4·472 (95% CI: 1·576–12·694). After performing multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted OR was 2·808 (95% CI: 1·062–11·769). This result showed that perioperative corticosteroid administration was an independent risk factor for PUs in cardiovascular surgical patients. Therefore, it is recommended that in order to prevent PU perioperative corticosteroids should be administered with caution to cardiovascular surgical patients.     

腹腔镜下远端胃癌根治与D2淋巴结清扫安全性及可行性分析

目的：探讨腹腔镜下远端胃癌根治与D2淋巴结清扫的效果及安全性。方法收集80例远端胃癌患者,40例行腹腔镜下远端胃癌根治术的患者为研究组,40例采用开腹手术治疗的患者为对照组,对比分析两组手术指标(切口长度、手术时间、术中出血)、术后恢复情况(排气时间、下床活动时间、镇痛次数、并发症)及肿瘤根治范围等,评价腹腔镜胃癌根治的效果和安全性。结果研究组手术时间显著长于对照组,但切口长度、术中出血量均明显少于对照组,差异有统计学意义( P<0．05)。两组肿瘤近端及远端切缘、淋巴结清扫数量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。研究组术后镇痛次数、肛门排气时间、下床活动时间明显少于对照组,差异有统计学意(P<0．05);除肺部感染外,两组其他并发症发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。结论腹腔镜下远端胃癌根治与D2淋巴结清扫虽然手术时间较长,操作复杂,但能够达到开腹手术相同的胃癌切除标准和淋巴清扫范围,且术后恢复方面有明显优势,值得应用。     

自贡市0~1岁儿童身长变化情况研究

目的：随访自贡市儿童身长在0～1岁发生“追赶生长”或者“生长减速”的情况。方法收集分析四川省自贡市妇幼保健院儿童保健门诊中儿童健康体检资料。体格生长状况依据2000年美国疾病预防控制中心（CDC）儿童生长资料进行评价。结果547例儿童中1岁内177例（32.37％）的儿童身长发生追赶生长,244例（44.61％）的儿童身长发生生长减速。结论1岁内约2／3的儿童发生身长百分位线变化;儿童出生时的身长水平不完全决定生后生长状况。     

经后路全内镜技术治疗腰椎间盘突出症86例疗效观察

目的 探讨后路全内镜(Full Endoscopic,FE)技术取除突出髓核组织治疗腰椎间盘突出症的可行性及有效性.方法 2012年8月至2013年8月共收治经临床确诊为单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者86例,腰4/5节段35例、腰5骶1节段51例.采用后路全内镜技术取出突出髓核组织的治疗方法,根据术后腰痛及腿痛缓解情况、下床活动及住院时间评估恢复效果.手术前后采用VAS评分评价患者腰痛缓解情况,ODI评分评价患者腿痛及日常工作与生活情况.结果 84例患者顺利完成手术,术后下床时间8 ～ 12h,平均10 h;术后住院时间为2～4d,平均3d;术后2周恢复非体力劳动的工作.84例患者均无神经根、硬膜损伤及其它手术并发症发生,均获随访,随访时间6 ～12个月.与术前相比,术后VAS评分及ODI评分明显改善(P＜0.05).另2例患者改开放手术.结论 采取后路全内镜下技术取出突出髓核组织治疗腰椎间盘突出症具有创伤小、神经根减压充分、出血少,恢复快等优点,体现了外科微创手术有的放矢、立竿见影的确切效果.     

Analysis of Renal Artery Stenosis in Patients with Heart Failure: A RASHEF Study

Background:

Previous data are controversial about the association of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with clinical outcome in patients with heart failure. Definition of RAS in previous studies might not be appropriate. By definition of RAS with renal duplex sonography, we investigated the association of RAS with clinical outcome in patients with heart failure.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, we identified 164 patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association classification ≥II; left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) who had received renal duplex sonography during hospital stay. RAS was defined as renal-aortic ratio ≥3.5 or a peak systolic velocity ≥200 cm/s (or both), or occlusion of the renal artery. Categorical data of patients were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher''s exact test. Cox proportional hazards regression modeling technique was used to investigate the prognostic significance of possible predictors.

Results:

Finally, 143 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up time was 32 months (1–53 months). Twenty-two patients were diagnosed as RAS by renal duplex sonography, including 13 unilateral RAS (3 left RAS, 10 right RAS) and 9 bilateral RAS. There were more all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death in patients with RAS than patients without RAS. By multivariate analysis, RAS was a significant predictor for all-cause death and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.155, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.546–11.164, P = 0.005; and HR = 3.483, 95% CI: 1.200–10.104, P = 0.022, respectively). As for composite endpoint events, including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage, rehospitalization for cardiac failure, and renal replacement therapy, only angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker was significant predictor. RAS was not a significant predictor for composite endpoint events.

Conclusions:

Our data suggested that RAS is associated with a poorer clinical outcome in patients with heart failure.     

Efficacy and Safety Investigation of Kuntai Capsule for the Add-back Therapy of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Administration to Endometriosis Patients: A Randomized,Double-blind,Blank- and Tibolone-controlled Study

Background:

As a Chinese Traditional Medicine product, Kuntai capsule could improve the peri-menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. But it is still not clear whether Kuntai capsule has a good effect on alleviating peri-menopausal symptoms induced by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Kuntai capsule, on peri-menopausal symptoms in endometriosis (EMS) patients, with postoperative GnRH-a treatment.

Methods:

Ninety EMS ovarian cyst women with postoperative GnRH-a administration were enrolled in the study, and were randomly divided into Kuntai group, Tibolone group, or blank Control group. The therapeutic strategy in Kuntai group was 4 Kuntai capsules tid,po for 12 weeks after the first GnRH-a injection, while Tibolone 2.5 mg qd, po for 12 weeks in Tibolone group. There was no drug addition in Control group. Climacteric complaints were evaluated by Kupperman menopausal index (KMI) and hot flash/sweating score. Liver and renal functions, lipid profile, serum sex hormone levels and endometrial thickness were measured, and the frequency of adverse events in Kuntai and Tibolone groups was recorded.

Results:

(1) Before GnRH-a therapy, the baseline parameter results were comparable in the three groups (P > 0.05). (2) After GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating scores in all the three groups increased significantly (P < 0.05). At the 4^th week after GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating score results were as follows: Control group > Kuntai group > Tibolone group (P < 0.05); at the 8^th and 12^th week after GnRH-a therapy, KMI and hot flash/sweating score in Control group were significantly higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05), and no significant difference was identified between Kuntai and Tibolone group (P > 0.05). (3) No statistical change took place in the liver and renal functions and lipid profile in all the three groups after the treatment (P > 0.05). (4) The posttherapeutic serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) level and endometrial thickness decreased significantly in all the three groups (P < 0.05). After therapy, serum E2 level in Tibolone group was obviously higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05), while FSH and LH levels were obviously lower (P < 0.05). (5) The incidence of vaginal bleeding, breast distending pain in Tibolne group was obviously higher than Kuntai group (P < 0. 05).

Conclusions:

Kuntai capsule is effective on the peri-menopausal symptoms induced by postoperative GnRH-a administration to EMS patients, although its clinical effect might be a few weeks later than Tibolone. Kuntai capsule might be a little safer than Tibolone tablet.